CJ^ 


y 


BX  9225  .E8  C67  1853 
Cossitt,  Franceway  Ranna 

1790-1863. 
The  life  and  times  of  Rev 

FiUiis   Ewina 


B' 


TJ 


JAN  27  1933 


THR 


LIFE   AND   TIMES 


KEV.   FINIS  EWING 

ONE  OF  THE  FATHERS  AND  FOUNDERS  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND 
PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 


TO    WHICH    IS   ADDED 


REMARKS  ON  DAVIDSON'S  HISTORY, 

OR,   A   REVIEW  OF  HIS    CHAPTERS   ON    THE   REVIVAL  OF  1800,   AND 
HIS  HISTORY  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIANS. 


WITH    AN    APPENDIX. 


BY    REV.    F.    R.    COSSITT,    D.D. 


LOUISVILLE,    KY.: 
REV.    LEE    ROY    WOODS, 

AGENT  FOR  THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION  OF  THE  CUMBERLAND 
PRESBTTERIAN  CHURCH. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  jear  1S53,  by 

F.    B.    COSSITT, 

In  the  Clerk's  OflRce  for  the  Middle  District  Court  of  Tennessee. 


Stereotyped  and  Printed  by 

MORTON  &  GRISWOLD. 

Louisville,  Ky. 


PREFACE. 


The  work  now  offered  to  the  public  has  been  long  delayed  by 
a  want  of  definite  information,  with  regard  to  some  facts  and 
incidents  which  were  deemed  as  necessary  to  the  justice  of  the 
subject  as  to  the  continuity  of  the  narrative.  In  reply  to  numerous 
letters  of  inquiry,  addressed  to  various  persons  in  different  parts  of 
the  country,  many  valuable  materials  have  been  obtained.  But 
the  most  valuable  and  available  information  has  been  received,  in 
personal  conversations  with  those  who  could  furnish  it;  and  in  these 
cases  the  invariable  practice  has  been  forthwith  to  commit  to  writing, 
read  the  manusci-ipts  to  the  persons  giving  the  statements,  and,  their 
accuracy  being  admitted,  adopt  tliem  as  reliable.  For  this  purpose, 
the  author  has  traveled  much,  conversed  with  many  of  the  oldest 
members  of  the  church,  and  been  enabled  probably  to  preserve  much 
that  otherwise  might  have  been  lost  to  posterity.  It  has  been  expected 
by  some,  that  the  biographer  would  also  write  the  lives  of  the  other 
fathers  of  the  church.  This  he  might  willingly  undertake,  did  not 
the  difficulty  of  obtaining  the  requisite  materials  discourage  the 
attempt.  It  is  hoped  however,  that  some  competent  individual,  who 
is  able  to  travel  in  quest  of  the  necessary  information,  will  soon 
undertake  the  task. 

A  continuous  chain  of  those  events,  which  marked  the  life  of  the 
subject  of  this  biography,  unblended  with  the  history  of  his  times, 
might  doubtless  have  been  more  acceptable  to  some  readers.  But 
the  labors  of  the  individual's  life  and  the  characteristic  events  of  his 
times,  having  been  inseparably  connected,  justice  to  both  seemed 
to  require  their  simultaneous  exhibition,  in  order  to  a  just  appreciation 
of  their  mutual  relation  and  dependence. 

With  regard  to  the  precept,  '' de  mortms  nil  nisi  honum"  opinions 
are  much  divided.  Always  and  strictly  to  practice  it,  would  degrade 
the  truth  of  history  almost  to  the  level  of  panegyric.  The  author  has 
taken  no  pleasure,  in  pointing  out  inaccuracies  in  "  the  History  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Kentucky;"  nor  in  exposing  the  un- 
reasonable conduct  of  those  who  so  bitterly  opposed  the  revival  of 


IV  PREFACE. 

1800;  nor  in  arguing  the  unconstitutionality  of  the  proceedings  of 
Kentucky  Synod,  by  their  Commission ;  nor  in  remarking,  however 
briefly,  upon  the  fatality  *  of  the  Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith. 
These  exciting  subjects  he  would  have  gladly  avoided,  had  justice  to 
the  church  of  his  choice  and  the  truth  of  history  at  all  allowed.  But 
in  the  west,  Presbyterian  writers  themselves,  in  their  great  zeal  to 
acquaint  the  world  with  the  aberrations  of  Cumberland  Presbyterians, 
and  their  extraordinary  anxiety  to  make  the  best  possible  justification 
for  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  have  imposed  the  necessity  of  attending 
to  these  unpleasant  subjects  ;  and  so  overwhelming  is  the  testimony 
against  their  positions,  that  a  writer,  regarding  justice,  finds  himself 
compelled,  to  place  these  matters  in  a  just  light  before  the  public. 
For  nothing  in  the  history  of  Presbyterianism,  as  it  has  existed  in 
various  countries,  appears  to  have  equaled  the  stretch  of  power 
assumed  by  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  in  their  proceedings  against  the 
first  Cumberland  Presbytery,  except  the  doings  of  the  so  called 
"  Moderate  Party  "  which  previously  and  at  that  very  time  tyrannized 
over  the  evangelicals  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  finally  causing  the 
exodus  of  the  Free  Church. 

It  is  hoped  however  that  attentive  and  candid  readers  will  perceive 
that  ample  justice  has  been  done  to  the  mother  church  ;  and  that  her 
excellent  institutions  and  praiseworthy  efforts,  for  the  enlightenment 
and  evangelization  of  mankind,  have  been  duly  appreciated  and 
acknowledged.  In  treating  of  the  actors  in  certain  exciting  scenes, 
the  writer  has  endeavored  to  preserve  his  mind  free  from  that 
uncharitableness  which  would  account  for  improper  acts  by  impugning 
piety,  whereever  other  causes  could  fairly  be  inferred. 

This  little  volume  is  now  committed  to  a  candid  public;  and 
however  the  several  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  family  and  other 
Christian  denominations  may  regard  it,  before  the  excitement  produced 
by  the  history  herein  partially  reviewed  shall  have  been  allayed, 
reliance  is  placed  in  the  impartiality  and  justice  of  posterity. 

The  Author. 

Lebanon,  Tenn.,  1853. 

•The  writer  takes  pleasure  in  recommending  to  his  readers,  a  late  work  on  this 
subject  by  Rev.  H.  S.  Porter,  D.  D.,  Pastor  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Memphis,  Tennessee.  This  work  shows  whence  this  error  was 
derived,  how  it  was  introduced  into  the  Christian  church,  and  ought  to  be  in  tb* 
hands  of  all  who  desire  to  know  and  love  the  truth. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I.  —  Introduction. 
Scarcity  of  materials  for  this  Biography  —  Reasons  of  which  —  To  what  influences 
Ewing's  youth  was  subjected  —  Early  settlement  of  the  Cumberland  country  — 
Gen.  Robertson — Indian  troubles  —  Brave  defence  —  Engenders  a  spirit  of 
.patriotism  —  Chivalry  evinced  in  later  times  —  Provisinns  for  intellectual  and 
moral  culture  —  Dr.  Craighead  —  Dr.  Brooks  —  Polemic  society  — Eloquence  of 
eelf-educated  men  —  What  contributed  to  form  Ewing's  character.   .        .        11 

CHAPTER  II.  —  Birth,  Parentage,  and  Early  Life. 
Reflections  on  God's  providence  —  Birth  and  parentage  —  Labor  —  Loss  of  his 
parents  —  Removal  of  the  family  to  the  Cumberland  Country  —  Settle  near 
Nashville  —  Reasons  for  —  Ilis  early  youth — Rev.  Mr.  McSpedden's  recollections 

—  His  defence  of  the  settlement  —  Anecdotes  —  A  member  of  the  literary 
society  —  Rev.  Robert  Bell's  statement. 22 

CHAPTER  III.  —  Marriage  and  Admixion  to  the  Church. 
Ilarries  Miss  Peggy  Davidson  —  Notice  of  Gten.  Davidson's  services  in  the  Revolu- 
tion—  I   killed  at  Gowan's  Ford  —  His  character  —  Monument  to  hds  memory 

—  Character  of  the  daughter  —  Inclined  to  be  religious  —  Lifeless  state  of  the 
Church — Both  join  the  church,  being  unregenerate  —  How  accounted  for  — 
Craighead's  preaching  —  His  instructions  to  an  inquirer  —  General  character  of 
•Presbyterian  preaching  at  the  time  —  Ignorance  of  the  gospel  —  Dearth'  of  vital 
piety  —  Orderly  in  their  conduct  —  Reflections    .        .        .        .        .        .30 

CHAPTER  IV.—  Conversion  of  Husband  and  Wife. 
Ignorance  of  the  truth  leads  to  error  —  Satisfied  with  their  spiritual  condition  — 
Removal  to  Kentucky  —  McGready  — His  preaching  —  Alarming  to  the  formalist 

—  Compared  with  Craighead  —  Ewing  and  his  wife  awakened  —  Communicate 
freely  with  each  other  —  Inquiries  —  Difficulties  growing  out  of  wrong  views  of 
Faith  —  Ready  to  despair  —  The  husband  rejoicesiu  hope  —  The  wife  comfortles.s 

—  She  finds  peace  in  believing  —  Date  of  these  conversions  —  Rev.  R.  Donnell 
fixes  it  in  1797  or  8  —  A  goodly  example  —  Mrs.  Ewing's  services  to  the  Church 

—  Ib  now  in  her  eightieth  year —  Lives  to  pray  for  the  Church  —  Is  waiting  her 
Ixird's  iuminonj! 42 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  V.  —  Call  to  the  Ministry. 

Study  of  the  Bible  —  Progress  in  religions  knowledge  —  Counsels  sought  —  Aptnesff 

to  teach  —  Is  made  an  elder  —  Leads  in  social  worship  —  Exhorts  publicly  — 

Exercises  of  a  called  minister  —  Not  made  l<nown  —  Inferences  —  Recollections 

of  Rev.  R.  Bell  —  Of  Kev.  R.  Dounell  —  Of  Mrs.  Ewing  —  Licensed  to  itinerate 

—  Labors  blessed — Approred  by  friends  of  the  revival  —  Opposition  —  Argu- 
ments for  and  against  —  Reasons  for  not  going  to  CoUege  —  Continues  in  th& 
revival 55 

CHAPTER  \1.  —  By  order  of  Presbytery,  enters  on  a  Circuit. 

The  great  Revival  —  First  Camp-Meeting  —  Work  of  grace  extending — Petitions 

for  ministerial  aid  —  Laborers  few  —  Itinerant  Preaching  — "  Circuit "  censured 

—  Diffidence  in  view  of  responsibilities  —  A  precious  promise — Hutchinson's 
relation  —  Hungering  for  the  word  —  A  traveler  arrives  —  Joy  —  He  is  tha 
Preacher  —  Prayer  answered  —  Destitution  — Preaching  on  Sabbath  —A  large 
Assembly  —  Solemnity  —  Appropriate  discourse  —  Results  —  Other  places  — 
Renewed  petitions. ^       .        .        .        GS 

CHAPTER  VII.  —  Rejection,its  Cause  and  Consequences. 

Dr.    Rice's  recommendation  —  Smith's    account  —  Rice's  report  —  Rejection  — 

Dissatisfaction  —  Comparisons  —  Believers  mourn  —  Errorists  rejoice  —  A  man 

of  blood — Contest  in  defence  of  a  Brother — Is  victorious  —  Unclerical  but 

justifiable  —  Petitions  granted  —  Licensure. 7& 

CHAPTER  VIII.  —  Light  ariseth  in  Darkness. 
Discouraging  report  —  People  afflicted  —  Unwilling  to  lose  their  preacher  —  A 
question — Decided  for  Presbyterianism  —  Their  favorite  minister  returns  — 
Power  of  his  preaching  —  Recommends  prayer  meetings  —  Asks  prayers  for 
himself —  Prospects  —  The  gospel  for  all  —  Four  classes  of  liearers  —  The  igno- 
rant—  The  careless  —  Infidels  —  Formalists — The  latter  occasion  most  grief  — 
Responsibilities  of  Christians  —  Abstract  of  a  sermon  —  Living  piety  and  dead 
formality  —  Prejudice  —  A  formalist  converted  —  Visit  to  an  intelligent  infidel 

—  The  gospel  triumphs. 89- 

CHAPTER  IX.  —  T!ie  Wilderness  becoming  Glad. 
rirst  objects  of  new  settlers  —  Blessings  attending  the  gospel  —  Preaching  in  the 
open  aVr  —  Good  effects  —  Churches   and    school    houses  —  Improvement    in 
morals  —  Praying  bands  —  Meeting  at  Mc  Adow  —  General  awakening  —  Extends 

—  Societies  formed  —  Petitions  for  a  pastor  —  Mr.  Ewing  unanimously  called  — 
Ordained  —  Ilis  influence  —  The  mother  of  churches  —  Its  members  —  Still 
flourishing 103 

CHAPTER  X.  —  Clouds  in  the  Ecclesiastical  Horizon. 
Two    pajties  —  Mr.  Dickey  —  Party    spirit  —  Shiloh    calls  Craigtieacl — TVanijig 


CONTENTS.  VU 

influence  —  Ministera  of  Upper  Kentucky  —  Death  of  Anderson  —  Ilis  charac- 
ter—  Ewing's  lamentation  —  His  counsel  to  the  brethren  —  His  seat  in  Presby- 
tery objected  to  —  The  design  —  Overruled  —  His  meekness  —  His  motives  — 
Attends  Synod  —  His  two  brothers  —  The  letter  of  Craighead  —  Citations  and 
appointment  of  a  Committee  —  Unconstitutional  —  Corrupt  party  in  Scotland 

—  Impressions  of  the  parties  —  Views  of  the  Messrs.  Ewing  —  Rising  storm  — 
Cameron  —  Nelson  and  Hodge  ordained  —  Grand  cause  of  the  separation  —  The 
Commission  appointed. 114 

CHAPTER  XI.  —  Integrity  of  Principle  survives  the  Storm. 

Remarks  —  Rowlcind  Hill  —  The  Moderates  of  Scotland  —  Resemblances  —  Mem- 
bers of  the  Commission  —  Revival  Ministers  —  Young  men  —  When  called  for  — 
Commission's  demand  —  Refused  —  Ewing's  course  —  Re-examination  insisted 
on  —  De  Vio  and  Luther  —  Motives  not  appreciated  —  Ewing's  request  —  Opposed 
but  finally  granted  —  Hutchinson's  account  —  The  question  put  —  All  refuse  — 
Reasons  —  Prohibitions  —  All  punished,  because  some  were  accused  —  Inqui- 
sition and  the  Moderates  —  Authority  overreached  —  Prejudice  and  party  spirit 

—  Truth  ever  lives,  while  error  dies  —  Craighead's  acquittal.     .         .        .      129 

CHAPTER  XII.  —  The  Council:  from  its  Formation  to  its  Dissolution. 

Party  triumph  —  Presumption  of  Craighead  — Pelagianlsm  opposed  — State  of  the 
country  —  Former  supplies  —  Cutoff — Love  to  the  Church  —  Trust  in  God  — 
Present  supplies  —  Joy  of  the  People  —  Regard  for  Ewing  —  His  duties  —  Over- 
tures for  peace — "  Divide  et  impera'" — McGready  and  Hodge  — The  alterna- 
tive—  Resolutions  —  Ewing,  King,  &c. —  Determinations  —  Painful  to  part  — 
Hodge's  regret  —  McGready's  counsel  —  Debate  —  Ewing  triumphs  over  Hodge 
— Withdrawals  —  The  difficulty  —  What  it  was  not  —  What  it  reaUy  was  — 
Necessary  to  Synod's  justification  —  Lyle's  tears  —  Embarrassment  —  Form 
into  a  Committee  —  To  meet  in  March 151 

CHAPTER  XIII.  — TOe  Minister  with  liis  Family. 

Communings  with  himself — With  a  Christian  brother  —  His  domestic  relations  — 
Mrs.  Ewing  —  Iler  character  —  A  dutiful  wife  —  A  nursing  mother  to  the 
church — Why  not  enjoy  home?  —  He  must  obey  Christ — Dissuasives  of 
worldly  wisdom  —  Infidelity  —  A  crisis  anticipated  —  The  sealing  ordinances  — 
How  to  be  provided  —  By  co-laborers  —  Necessity  for  constituting  a  separate 
Presbytery 171 

CHAPTER  XIV.  —  Organization  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Critical  state  of  the  revival  —  Hopes  and  fears  of  its  friends  —  The  Committee  — 
Ewing  a  fa'her  —  Severe  trials  —  Letter  to  Porter  —  Ordainers  —  Necessity  — 
Proposal  to  Mc.\dow — Doubtful  quesMon — Decided  —  Constitution  —  Impor- 
tant results —Joseph's  brethren  and  Kentucky  Synod  — The  purpose  of  God 


VIU  CONTEXTS. 

—  Apt  scholars  —  The  right  spirit  —  McLean  ordnined  —  His  character  and 
death  —  Ewmg"s  feelings — Joy  at  the  Exodus — Donnell's  remarks  — The 
venerated  names — Explanation  —  Further  annoyances  —  Pastoral  letter  — 
Ewing's  reply  —  Lowry's  statement 187 

CHAPTER  XY.  —  2'he  Chaplain  and  Soldier. 

The  Christian  a  patriot  —  A  two-fold  character  —  Mr.  McSpedden's  account  — 
Groundless  objections  —  Valid  objections  —  His  true  reasons  —  Adventurous 
spirit  —  Servant  unto  all  —  Wilson's  reminiscences  —  A  sermon  —  Letters  to 
Harris  —  Loss  by  fire 206 

CHAPTER  XYL  —  Vsefulness  as  a  Citizen. 

Removal  —  Postmaster  at  Ewingsville  —  Pastor  of  Lebanon  church  —  Academy 
built  —  Sermon  on  national  affairs  —  Cause  of  its  publication  —  Republished 
in  1850  —  Its  character  —  Sentiments  —  His  correspondence  —  Letter  to  Donnell 

—  To  Calhoun  —  To  Harris — Confinement  —  Bible  Society.      .        .        .      215 

CHAPTER  XVII. — Correspondence  ivith  Brethren. 

Three  letters  to  A.  Aston: — How  to  avoid  temptation  —  Encouraging  promises 

Religious  consolations  —  Thanksgiving  for  the  victory  at  New  Orleans  —  A 

church  difficulty  —  Harsh  censure  opposed  to  charity  —  Recommends  tenderness 

Concert  of  prayer  —  Necessity  of  holiness  —  Cheering  prospects  —  Inquiries 

Diligence  in  duty  —  Perseverance  in  prayer — A  spiritual  child — Preaching 

at  Russelville —  Conclusion  of  a  letter  to  R.  Donnell:  —  Argument  against  the 
Arian's  Christ  —  Human  speculations  —  Nashville  —  Meeting  in  the  cabins.  225 

CHAPTER  XVin.  —  Correspondence  continued. 

Inducements  to  emigrate  —  Removals  from  Lebanon  —  Character  of  the  emigrants 

Labors  of  Messrs.  Bourne  and  Tandy  —  A  wise  Providence — Letter  to  R. 

Donnell  —  Discouragements  —  Regard  for  King  —  Submission  —  Signs  of  the 
millenium  —  Brought  in  by  means  —  Christian  duty  —  Death  of  McGready 
and  McGee  —  Letter  to  W.  Harris  —  Bible  and  Missionary  Societies  —  Request 
of  a  Chillicothe  editor  —  Letter  to  R.  Donnell  —  Motives  for  obeying  a  call  — 
Devices  of  Satan  —  Paul  —  Bible  Society  —  Its  patrons  —  Other  Societies  —  How 
to  be  sustained  —  Mammon  —  Parental  Solicitude  —  Ewing's  temperament  — 
Letter  to  R.  Donnell  —  Tender  affection  —  Camp  meeting  at  Lebanon  —  Thirty 
professions 234 

CHAPTER  mX.  — Truth  triinnphs. 

The  Arian  hpresy  —  Successfully  opposed  —  Hopkinsville  —  Discourses  there  — 
Contest  with  an  Arian  —  Missing  letter  —  Barnett  —  Blackburn — Doetrines  — 
Reproof —  Meeting  at  Russelville  —  Valentine  Cook  —  Sermon  and  exhortation 

—  Crowd  of  mourners  —  Many  professions  —  The  converts  —  The  Hamiltons.  249 


CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER  XX.  —  Correspondence  previous  to  Removal, 

Lebanon  congregation  —  Wise  Providence  —  Contemplates  a  removal  —  Lellet  to 
R.  Donnell  —  Doubtful  state  of  mind  —  Missouri  —  Good  work  in  Russelville  — 
Letter  to  R.  Donnell  —  Missionary  spirit  —  Labors  —  Prayer  a  medicine  — 
Address  to  the  people  of  Missouri  —  Letter  to  R.  Donnell  — Camp  meeting  — 
Presbytery  —  Pilot  Knob  —  Resignation  of  the  office  of  Post  master.        .      257 

CHAPTER  XXI.  —  Removal  and  Residence  in  Missouri. 

Bonds  uniting  a  Pastor  to  his  people  —  Why  sundered  —  Universal  regret  — 
Farewell  discourses — At  Russelville — At  Salubrious  Spring  —  Mrs.  Young's 
description  —  Settles  in  Cooper  county  —  New  Lebanon  —  Letter  to  R.  Donnell 
—  Report  of  Synod  —  Growth  in  ten  years  —  Deceitfulness  of  the  heart  —  God 
alone  can  keep  it  —  Lectures  on  divinity — Appointed  Postmaster  —  Temper- 
ance address —  A  published  sermon  —  The  colonization  enterprise  —  Servants 
emancipated  —  Benevolent  societies  —  Reply  to  a  Unitarian  —  Removal  to 
Lafayette  —  Elder  David  Kirkpatrick  —  Baptist  controversy.     .        .        .      266 

CHAPTER  XXII.  —  Means  of  Usefulness. 

Pastor  of  the  church  at  Lexington  —  Appointment  to  the  Land  Office  —  Reasons 
for  acceptance  —  Three  visits  to  Kentucky  —  Meeting  with  old  friends  —  Cum- 
berland College  established  —  Speech  in  favor  of  a  delegated  Synod  —  Speaking 
and  writing  —  Letter  to  the  author — Fraternal  rebuke  —  Appeal  for  the 
endowment  of  Cumberland  College  —  Writing  for  the  church  —  The  Banner  of 
Peace  —  Last  sermon  —  Death  —  His  children  —  Rev.  Dr.  Morrow's  reply  to  the 
author 278 

CHAPTER  XXIII.  —  Private  Character  of  Rev.  Finis  Ewing. 

His  personal  appearance —  Family  discipline  —  Social  qualities  —  Private  corres- 
pondence —  Enemies  and  friends  —  Instruction  of  his  pupils  —  Courage  — 
Industry  —  Temperance  and  health  —  Dress  —  Sports  of  the  chase  —  Lectures 
.  attacked  —  The  dog  and  the  moon  —  Benevolence  —  A  little  book  —  Anecdote  — 
Bequest  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 297 

CHAPTER  XXIV.  — ^  Funeral  Sermon, 

On  the  death  of  Rev.  FINIS  EWINQ,  delivered  before  the  General  Assembly  at 
Owensboro,  Kentucky,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  May,  1842,  by  Rev.  Hiram  A. 
Hunter,  pastor  of  the  church  at  that  place,  and  now  pastor  of  the  First 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  Philadelphia.  ''  He  being  dead,  yet 
speaketh."  —  Hebreivs  xi,  i 307 

CHAPTER  XXV.  —  Remarks  on  Davidson''s  History  of  the  Church  in  Kentucky, 

Or  a  review  of  his  ch.apters  on  the  revival  of  1800,  its  extravagances  and  disorders, 

and  his  historv  of  the  Cumberland  Presbvteriana.       .  ,        .      S25 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XXYl.  — Review  of  Davidson. 

His  strictures  on  the  ofBcial  acts  of  some  members  of  Transylvania  Presbytery, 

■V  who  afterwards  became  the  majority  of  the  old  Cumberland  Presbytery  of  the 

V         Presbyterian  Church,  in  regard   to  their  bringing  into  the  ministry  certain 

young  men,  of  whom  Mr.  Ewing  was  the  most  conspicuous.      .        .        .      331 

CHAPTER  XX\n.  — Review  of  Davidson. 

His  sketches  of  certain  characters,  including  some  of  those  who  became  the 
founders  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  of  whom  Mr.  Ewing  was 
the  most  prominent  and  active.   .        .  365 

CHAPTER  XXVin.  — Review  of  Davidson. 
His  representations  of  the  doctrines  of  the  latter  class  of  men.    .        .        .      377 

CHAPTER  XXlX.  —  Revieiv  of  Davidson. 

His  unqualified  censures  of  the  revival  of  1800,  which  gave  birth  to  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  church,  confounding  the  true  friends  and  promoters  of  that 
glorious  work,  with  the  Stoneites  or  New  Lights,  the  abettors  of  acknowledged 
heresy ....  395 


CHAPTER  I. 

INTRODUCTION. 

Scarcity  of  materials  for  this  Biography  —  Reasons  of  which  —  To  what  influences 
Ewing's  youth  was  subjected  —  Early  settlement  of  the  Cumberland  country  — 
Gen.  Robertson  —  Indian  troubles  —  Brave  defence  —  Engenders  a  spirit  of 
patriotism  —  Chivalry  evinced  in  later  times  —  Provisions  for  intellectual  and 
moral  culture  —  Dr.  Craighead  —  Dr.  Brooks  —  Polemic  society  — Eloquence  of 
self-educated  men  —  What  contributed  to  form  Ewing's  character. 

The  materials  deemed  essential  to  the  completeness 
of  biography  are  often  so  widely  dispersed,  or  imper- 
fectly preserved,  that  ordinary  diligence  can  scarcely 
avail  to  collect  and  embody  them.  Many  are  overlooked 
by  the  indifference,  or  lost  by  the  negligence,  of  those 
who  have  no  special  interest  in  their  preservation. 
Unrecorded  incidents,  however  fondly  cherished  in  the 
memory  of  admiring  friends,  pass  away  with  those  who 
witness  them.  The  history  of  events,  whose  special 
results  were  not  anticipated  by  those  connected  with 
them,  is  often  lost  to  those  who  survive.  And  though 
there  is  an  acknowledged  relation  between  causes  and 
effects,  this  is  not  always  observed  till  the  importance 
of  the  latter  demands  the  investigation  of  the  former. 
Hence,  much  that  is  valuable  in  history  and  biography 
is  consigned  to  oblivion ;  and  one  generation  often  pays 
a  high  penalty  for  the  neglect  of  those  which  have  pre- 
ceded.    ''  For  the  fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away." 


12  INTKODUCTION. 

It  was  known  that  Father  Ewing,  in  the  abundance 
of  his  labors  for  the  Church  and  the  world,  and  the 
extensiveness  of  his  correspondence  on  various  subjects, 
-did  not  keep  a  regular  journal.  It  was  hoped,  never- 
theless, that  he  might  leave  some  notes  or  memorandums 
which  would  afford  the  desired  aid  to  a  biographer. 
But  this  hope  has  not  been  realized.  Probably  what 
was  so  familiar  to  himself  may  have  appeared  not 
sufficiently  attractive  to  invite  the  attention  of  others ; 
and  whatever  he  had  done  or  achieved  fell  so  far  below 
what  he  had  desired  and  endeavored,  that  it  seemed  to 
him  unworthy  of  commemoration.  So  true  it  is  that 
modesty  is  found  united  with  the  richest  gifts ;  and  the 
author  of  the  noblest  achievements  is  the  last  who  is 
disposed  to  herald  them. 

The  writer  of  this  biography  is  fully  aware  that  in 
many  of  its  parts  more  full  and  ample  materials  were 
necessary  to  render  it  as  interesting  and  instructive 
as  its  noble  subject  would  otherwise  have  warranted. 
But  it  is  hoped  any  failure  to  meet  public  expectation 
will  be  ascribed  to  the  right  cause :  the  want  of  available 
materials,  rather  than  suitable  diligence ;  a  misfortune 
rather  than  a  fault. 

Until  a  man  has  become  distinguished,  the  events  of 
his  childhood  are  not  sought  after  with  diligence,  nor 
preserved  with  care  ;  but  whenever,  by  noble  attributes 
or  actions,  he  has  given  lustre  to  his  name,  every 
incident  of  his  eai'ly  life,  however  indifferent  in  itself, 
seems  to  derive  a  peculiar  value  from  the  reflected  light 
of  succeeding  years.     Doubtless  there  were  incidents 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

in  the  childhood  of  Ewing,  -which,  when  viewed  in  the 
light  of  his  eminent  usefulness  during  a  subsequent 
period,  would  interest  the  many  admirers  of  his  talents, 
especially  those  who  loved  him  for  his  works'  sake. 
But,  notwithstanding  many  letters  of  inquiry  have  been 
written  on  the  subject,  very  little  has  been  communicated 
to  his  biographer.  How  does  it  happen  that  so  little  is 
known  concerning  the  childhood  of  one  who  stood  as  a 
tower  of  strength  among  his  coadjutors  in  a  religious 
movement  which  is  without  a  parallel  in  America  ? 
How  is  the  fact  to  be  accounted  for,  that  so  many  of 
those  who  regarded  him  as  a  burning  and  a  shining  light 
in  his  day,  and  who  are  even  now  rejoicing  in  the  light 
which  his  genius  has  left  behind,  recollect  to  have  heard 
from  him  so  little  of  what  personally  concerned  himself  ? 
The  solution  of  the  problem  is  as  much  to  the  credit  of 
Father  Ewing  as  to  the  regret  of  his  survivors :  he 
forgot  himself,  in  his  great  solicitude  for  others.  He 
could  speak  of  his  brethren  in  the  most  tender  and 
affectionate  terms,  but  seldom  said  any  thing  of  himself. 
He  could  illustrate  sentiments  by  the  experience  of 
other  good  men,  but  not  by  his  own.  He  could  hold 
up  patriarchs,  prophets,  and  apostles,  and  above  all,  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  examples  worthy  of  imitation ; 
but  it  was  by  his  hfe  alone  that  he  was  accustomed  to 
instruct  his  children  in  the  gospel:  "Be  ye  followers 
of  me."  His  was  a  peculiarity  of  disposition,  just  the 
opposite  of  egotism. 

The  influence  of  early  training  in  the  formation  of 
character  is  indisputably  great.     Hence  the  wise  king 


14  INTRODUCTIOX. 

enjoined,  "  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go." 
But  it  sometimes  happens,  especially  in  new  countries, 
that  surrounding  circumstances,  passing  events,  and 
intimate  associations,  amidst  which  the  youth  is  passed, 
constitute  almost  its  only  training ;  and  from  these  the 
character  of  manhood  is  moulded.  That  we  may  more 
clearly  see  the  influences  to  which  Ewing's  early  youth 
was  subjected,  and  be  better  qualified  to  appreciate  the 
peculiarities  of  his  character,  it  will  be  proper  to  take 
a  brief  view  of  the  spirit,  character,  condition,  and 
prospects  of  the  people  among  whom  Providence  cast 
his  lot. 

The  region  usually  called  "  the  Cumberland  Country," 
originally  included  that  portion  of  Kentucky  and  Tennes- 
see lying  west  of  the  Cumberland  mountain ;  the  waters  of 
the  Cumberland  flow  through  this  region,  extending  north- 
ward to  Green  river  in  the  former  State,  and  southward 
indefinitely  towards  the  Tennessee,  from  which  river  the 
latter  State  takes  its  name.  Although  settlements  had 
been  effected  in  East  Tennessee  and  Northern  Ken- 
tucky, previous  to  the  revolutionary  war,  it  was  not 
until  near  the  conclusion  of  that  memorable  struggle, 
that  "  the  Cumberland  Country  "  began  to  be  inhabited 
by  the  whites.  The  first  permanent  settlement,  was 
made  in  1780,  under  the  superintendence  of  Gen.  James 
Robertson,  whose  merits  had  raised  him  from  a  private 
soldier  to  a  general  officer,  and  whose  skill  and  prowess, 
in  many  a  fierce  battle  with  the  Indians,  had  already 
rendered  his  name  illustrious.  The  spirit  of  emigration 
soon  brought,  from  Virginia  and  the  Carohnas,   many 


INTRODUCTION.  15 

families  of  wealth  and  respectability  who,  induced  by  the 
fertility  of  the  soil  and  other  advantages,  made  this 
region  their  place  of  abode.  The  prospect  of  a  thriving 
and  intelligent  community,  and  the  prevalent  belief  that 
this  was  destined  to  become  a  very  rich  and  populous 
country,  continued,  from  year  to  year,  to  bring  valuable 
accessions  to  the  settlement,  and  enlarge  its  boundaries 
in  all  ^directions.  Nashville,  however,  continued  to  be 
the  geographical  and  commercial  centre,  until,  at  a  later 
period,  other  towns  in  Tennessee,  and  Russelville  and 
Hopkins ville  in  Kentucky,  sprung  into  existence. 

But  one  cloud  hung  over  these  brightening  prospects. 
The  advancement  of  the  settlement  in  civilization,  wealth, 
and  refinement,  was  impeded  by  an  occasional  inroad  of 
the  savages,  who,  not  daring  to  appear  in  open  day,  nor 
to  advance  far  into  the  populous  parts,  contented  them- 
selves with  burning  houses  on  the  frontiers,  murdering 
the  inhabitants,  loading  themselves  -with  plunder,  and 
escaping  by  night.  And  frequently  these  marauding 
parties  were  pursued,  overtaken,  despoiled  of  their 
booty ;  and  sometimes  but  few  of  the  Indians  had  the 
good  fortune  to  escape.  The  people  of  the  settlement 
considered  themselves  competent  to  their  own  defence, 
especially  after  their  victory  at  Nickojack,  1794 ;  and 
doubtless  but  few  things  would  have  rejoiced  them  more 
than  an  opportunity  of  encountering  the  warriors  of  the 
whole  tribe  in  a  body,  and  putting  an  end  to  their 
struggles  at  once.  But  this  was  not  according  to  the 
manner  of  savage  warfare,  which  delights  to  keep  up  a 
continual  dread  and  alarm,  by  cruelties  perpetrated  at 


16  INTRODUCTION. 

various  points  distant  from  each  other.  For  what  caution 
can  always  afford  security  against  the  stealthy  tread,  the 
noiseless  approach  of  this  lurking  foe  ?  -  What  vigilance 
can  ensure  protection  against  his  gleaming  tomahawk  or 
ponderous  war-club,  ready  to  cleave  the  head  of  the 
defenceless  sleeper  ? 

The  men  of  the  settlement  were  brave.  They  knew 
no  fears  for  themselves.  Their  whole  concern  was  for 
the  defenceless  women  and  children,  with  the  tenants  of 
some  more  exposed  cabins  on  their  outskirts.  Even  the 
boys  emulated  their  seniors  in  the  use  of  the  deadly 
rifle :  with  this  indispensable  weapon  and  plenty  of 
powder  and  ball,  they  deemed  themselves  in  a  satisfac- 
tory state  of  defence  against  "  the  rascally  I'ed-skins.^' 
The  slightest  alarm  would  call  into  action,  every  one 
capable  of  using  the  rifle  with  effect.  At  the  cry  of 
^^  Indians  !  "  men  and  boys  were  seen  armed,  mounted 
and  riding  to  the  contest,  assured  of  victory  or  death. 
Never,  perhaps,  in  any  country  or  any  cause,  have  men 
joined  battle  more  courageously,  nor  sacrificed  their 
lives  more  freely  and  disinterestedly,  than  did  the 
defenders  of  innocence  and  helplessness  in  this  new 
country.  And  whether  they  had  an  eye  to  the  glory 
of  their  achievements  or  not,  it  is  certain  they  bravely 
protected  their  homes  and  firesides,  and,  with  inconsider- 
able exceptions,  successfully  defended  the  lives  of  their 
families  and  friends. 

This  state  of  things,  while  it  excited  a  deadly  hatred 
of  the  savages,  united  the  inhabitants  in  the  golden  bonds 
of  fraternity  and  friendship,  prompting  to  that  kindliness 


INTRODUCTION.  17 

of  feeling,  courtesy  of  bearing  and  reciprocity  of  good 
offices,  which  mutual  interests  and  common  dangers  are 
calculated  to  engender.  At  the  same  time  it  gave  birth 
to  a  spirit  of  enterprise,  a  love  of  adventure,  and  a  reck- 
lessness of  danger,  privations,  and  hardships,  as  unique 
in  their  character  as  honorable  in  their  results.  It  did 
more.  It  inspired  a  spirit  of  patriotism  which  fired 
every  breast  and  nerved  every  arm  in  defence  of  the 
soil  rendered  sacred,  by  so  many  mournful  recollec- 
tions of  the  past  and  cheering  anticipations  of  the 
future,  and,  in  comparison  with  the  general  security,  all 
things  else  seemed  valueless,  and  life  itself  not  worth 
preserving. 

This  spirit  continued  to  be  cherished  until,  sanctioned 
by  time  and  refined  by  happier  auspices,  it  grew  into 
that  peculiar  species  of  chivalry  which  so  distinguished 
itself  under  Gen.  Jackson  in  the  Indian  war,  at  the  battle 
of  New  Orleans,  and  still  later  under  Generals  Scott 
and  Taylor,  in  their  recent  victories.  And  among  those 
who  contributed  most  nobly  to  the  triumphs  of  our  arms 
in  Mexico,  the  descendants  of  these  sires  are  very  num- 
erous and  deservedly  distinguished. 

As  evidence  of  the  prosperity  of  this  new  country,  and 
the  desire  of  its  people  for  moral  and  intellectual  culti- 
vation,  may  be  mentioned  their  early  settlement  of  a 
minister,  the  establishment  of  a  classical  school,  and  the 
organization  of  "  the  Polemic  Society"  at  Spring-Hill 
Church,  in  the  vicinity  of  Nashville.  Their  attention 
was  not  so  entirely  engrossed  by  their  troubles  with  the 
Indians,  and  the  improvement  of  their   estates,  as  to 


18  INTRODUCTION. 

preclude  improvements  of  a  moral  and  Intellectual  char- 
acter. When  they  looked  over  their  jfields,  gilded  with 
grain  or  whitening  with  cotton,  each  husbandman  could 
say,  "  the  hnes  are  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant  places  ;" 
and  delightful  must  have  been  the  thought  of  leaving  to 
their  children,  "  this  goodly  heritage."  They  knew  how 
to  appreciate  their  advantages,  and  even  then  may  have 
augured  what  their  posterity  have  realized.  Certainly 
they  felt  as  freemen  ought :  that  virtue  and  intelligence 
are  the  surest  safeguards  of  republican  institutions. 
And  that  their  children  might  be  prepared  for  the  duties 
and  destinies  which  awaited  them,  they  procured  a  min- 
ister to  inculcate  virtue,  and  an  instructor  to  impart 
knowledge. 

The  choice  of  a  minister  fell  on  the  Rev.  Thomas  B. 
Craighead,  D.  D.  The  selection  was  not  altogether 
fortunate.  This  gentleman  was  a  graduate  of  Nassau 
Hall,  N.  J.,  had  acquired  a  considerable  reputation  in 
North  CaroUna,  and  was  indeed  a  man  of  learning  and 
eloquence.  He  was  in  good  standing  as  a  minister  in 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  at  the  time ;  and  it  is  not 
known  that  any  one  presumed  to  doubt  his  orthodoxy  or 
to  question  his  strict  conformity  to  the  Calvanistic  creed, 
until  many  years  afterwards.  Early  in  the  revival  of 
1800,  his  piety  began  to  be  doubted  by  the  friends  and 
favorers  of  that  gracious  work  ;  but,  as  an  uncompro- 
mising opposer,  and  active  leader  of  the  opposition,  he 
continued  for  some  time  to  be  held  in  great  repute  by 
his  party.  As  he  was,  at  the  time,  the  oldest  and  most 
talented  minister  in  the  whole  country  where  the  revival 


I^^TKODUCTION.  19 

took  its  origin,  it  is  not  very  surprising  tliat  Dr.  Craig- 
head's views  of  its  character,  although  exceedingly 
prejudicial  and  perversive,  should  gain  credit  with  those 
who  had  no  other  means  of  forming  a  judgment. 
Perhaps  no  individual  exerted  a  greater  influence  in 
shaping  the  virulent  opposition  and  subsequent  measures, 
calculated  to  suppress  so  glorious  a  work.  While  a 
majority  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and  the  minority  of 
Oumberland  Presbytery  were  affording  the  necessary 
aid  and  comfort  to  this  man,  in  his  unworthy  opposition 
to  the  revival,  they  little  suspected  the  grief  and 
scandal  he  would  eventually  bring  upon  them.  He  was, 
after  years  of  embarrassing  difficulties,  finally  deposed 
from  the  gospel  ministry,  in  the  year  1811.  In  1824 
he  was  restored  to  his  ministerial  standing,  and  died,  not 
long  aftei-,  in  the  communion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
His  friends  elaim  for  him  many  amiable  qualities,  and 
his  enemies  award  to  him  talents  of  a  high  order. 

Rev.  Dr.  Brooks  was  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
Seminary.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  Presbyterian 
minister  of  some  reputation ;  but  whether  his  duties  as 
teacher  would  not  allow  him  time  to  prepare  for  the 
pulpit,  or  he  had  declined  preaching  altogether,  it  is  not 
now  understood.  His  name  does  not  appear  on  a  list 
of  the  ministers  of  Kentucky  Synod.  He  is  said  to 
have  been  somewhat  eccentric,  a  bachelor  of  middle 
age  ;  but  is  represented  on  the  whole,  as  a  good  teacher 
and  a  worthy  man. 

*'  The  Polemic  Society  "  wes  designed  principally  for 
the  improvement  ef  the  young ;   but  others  of  riper 


20  INTRODUCTION. 

years  and  superior  intelligence,  participated  in  its  bene- 
fits. It  was  truly  creditable  to  the  young  men,  in  a 
country  so  new,  to  fill  up  their  intervals  of  labor  and  of 
savage  warfare,  with  these  literary  exercises.  It  evinced 
a  spirit  to  be  admired,  and  afforded  an  example  to  be 
imitated.  And  doubtless  that  spirit  and  example  — 
probably  the  first  ever  witnessed  in  Tennessee,  west  of 
the  mountains  —  have  prompted  to  the  formation  of 
many  a  debating  club,  giving  impulse  to  many  a  youth- 
ful orator,  and  pluming  many  an  unfledged  imagination 
for  its  loftiest  flights. 

The  south-west  is  believed  to  be  more  prolific  of 
"  self-made  men,"  than  any  other  part  of  our  country. 
Its  character  for  eloquence,  whether  of  the  bar,  the 
pulpit,  or  popular  assembly,  is  for  the  most  part  '  sui 
generis.^  And  if  occasional  specimens  of  each  are 
found  somewhat  deficient  in  correctness,  taste,  and 
dignity,  their  distinguishing  characteristics,  on  the 
whole,  confessedly  are  pathos,  strength,  and  conclusive- 
ness. It  were  easy  to  illustrate  this  sentiment  by  some 
brilliant  living  examples  of  men  who,  with  but  moderate 
scholastic  advantages,  have  distinguished  themselves  as 
eloquent  public  speakers.  But  it  becomes  not  a  contem- 
porary to  chronicle  their  excellencies. 

In  a  community  of  more  than  ordinary  intelligence 
and  moral  cultivation ;  among  men  who^  were  already 
beginning  to  regard  themselves  as  the  founders  of  a 
noble  State ;  on  a  soil  the  most  productive,  and  prom- 
ising to  become  one  of  the  choicest  garden  spots  of  the 
west  —  but  yet  to  be  guarded  by  the  unceasing  vigilence. 


INTRODUCTION.  21 

and  defended  by  the  unabating  courage  of  its  occupants, 
against  savage  enemies  —  familiar,  as  tlie  subject  of  this 
memoir  was,  with  the  dangers,  privations,  and  hardships 
of  a  new  country ;  and  sharing  in  all  the  bold  and 
hazardous  enterprises  for  its  defence,  was  laid  the  foun- 
dation of  a  character,  the  portraiture  of  which  will  be 
attempted  in  the  following  pages.  The  state  of  things, 
but  briefly  and  imperfectly  described,  was  calculated  to 
work  powerful  effects  on  a  mind  naturally  vigorous,  a 
spirit  habitually  adventurous,  and  a  heart  constitution- 
ally susceptible.  It  could  hardly  be  expected  that  a 
character  of  his  native  mould,  and  subjected  in  early 
youth  to  such  training,  could  pass  through  the  world 
without  leaving  its  impress,  and  exerting  some  abiding 
influence  on  public  sentiment. 


CHAPTER  II. 
BIRTH,  PARENTAGE,  AND  EARLY  LIFE. 

Jteflections  on  God's  Proridence  —  Eirth  and  parentage  —  Labor  —  Loss  of  his 
parents  —  Removal  of  the  familj'  to  the  Cumberland  country  —  Settle  near 
Nashville  —  Reasons  for — His  early  youth  —  Rev.  Mr.  MeSpedden's  recollec- 
tions—  His  defence  of  the  settlements — Anecdotes  —  A  Member  of  the  Liter- 
ary Society  —  Rev.  Robert  Bell's  statement. 

The  world's  history  furnishes  many  an  epoch,  remark- 
able for  great  events  and  extraordinary  characters. 
And  whether  we  account  for  their  contemporaneous 
existence  by  supposing  events  originate  character,  or 
characters  events  ;  it  is  certain  that  both  are  subject  to 
the  supei-intending  and  overruling  providence  of  God. 
Omnipotence  can  never  want  instruments  for  the  accom- 
plishment of  his  wise  purposes,  whether  of  justice  or  of 
mercy.  When  an  idolatrous  and  sinful  world  was  to  be 
destroyed,  but  a  remnant  to  be  saved,  there  was  a  just 
and  perfect'  man  who  with  his  family  were  appointed  to 
survive  the  catastrophe  and  re-people  the  earth.  When 
God  saw  fit  to  establish  his  worship  among  his  chosen 
people  in  a  more  imposuig  form  than  formerly,  and  the 
temple  of  Jerusalem  was  to  be  built,  a  king  occupied 
the  throne,  who  had  the  piety  as  well  as  the  power  to 
devote  all  his  energies  and  resources  to  this  work, 
according  to  the  divine  direction.     When  the  time  was 


BIRTH,  PARENTAGE,  ETC.  23 

at  hand,  for  the  promised  return  of  a  captive  people  to 
their  native  land  ;  Cyrus,  though  he  had  not  known  the 
Lord,  who  vouchsafed  to  his  arms  so  many  and  so  great 
victories,  stood  ready  to  favor  the  enterprise  and  fulfill 
the  prophecy.  When  the  corruptions  of  popery  had 
reached  the  last  point  of  degradation,  and  the  Christian 
world  stood  aghast  at  its  enormities,  a  Luther,  a  Zwin- 
gle,  a  Calvin,  and  others,  were  found  ready  to  peril  all 
things  but  truth  and  a  good  conscience,  for  the  reforma- 
tion. In  the  great  awaking  of  1740,  in  the  time  of 
Edwards  and  Whitfield,  these  great  and  good  men  with 
the  Tenants,  the  Blairs,  and  others  of  a  like  spirit 
devoted  their  lives  and  labors  to  the  advancement  of 
this  glorious  work.  And  the  wonderful  reformation  in 
the  western  country,  usually  known  as  the  great  revival 
of  1800,  was  ushered  in  and  carried  on,  through  the 
visible  instrumentality  of  men,  valiant  for  the  truth,  and 
not  counting  their  lives  dear  for  the  sake  of  righteous- 
ness. Among  this  bright  galaxy  of  evangelists,  a  portion 
of  whom  afterwards  founded  the  first,  if  not  the  only, 
ecclesiastical  organization  of  purely  American  origin, 
the  name  of  Finis  Ewing  appears  in  letters  of  living 
light. 

"  They  that  be  wise,  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of 
the  firmament ;  and  they  that  turn  many  to  righteous- 
ness, as  the  stars  forever  and  ever." 

Finis  Ewing  was  born  on  the  10th  of  July,  1773,  in 
Bedford  county,  Virginia.  Here  his  father  and  an 
uncle  had  settled,  on  their  emigration  from  Ireland  to 
this  country,  a  number  of  years  previous  to  the  Ameri- 


24  BIRTH, PABENTAGE, 

can  revolution.  The  two  brothers  appear  to  have  ranked 
among  the  most  respectable  citizens  and  prosperous 
farmers  of  that  county.  The  elder  of  the  two,  Robert 
Ewing,  Esq.,  was  for  many  years  the  clerk  of  Bedford 
County  Court,  and  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church. 
He  married  Miss  Mary  Baker,  and  became  the  father  of 
nine  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  subject  of  this 
memoir  was  their  twelfth  and  last  child  ;  and  on  this 
account,  his  parents  gave  him  the  fanciful  name  of 
Finis.*  Both  his  parents  were  eminent  for  their  piety, 
as  well  as  their  diligence  in  training  up  their  children  in 
the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  Of  his  child- 
hood but  little  is  known.  The  following,  from  one  of  his 
sons,t  is  all  that  has  been  obtained,  with  which,  however 
brief  and  indefinite,  his  numerous  friends  must  be 
satisfied. 

"I  know  but  very  little  of  my  father's  early  history; 
nor  does  my  mother,  at  this  advanced  period  of  her 
life,  recollect  with  sufficient  distinctness  to  relate,  with 
the  requisite  accuracy,  what  she  may  have  heard.  I 
believe,  however,  I  am  correct  in  saying,  my  father  was 
raised  on  a  farm,  and  with  his  brothers  and  servants 
was  employed  in  the  various  operations  of  husbandry. 
I  remember  to  have  heard  him  say,  he  commenced 
plowing  at  so  early  an  age,  that  one  of  his  father's 
friends  remonstrated,  saying  he  was  too  small  for  that 
kind  of  labor.     Of  his  early  education  —  I  mean  such 

*  A  Latin  word,  signifying  tkc  eivl. 

t  R.  C.  Ewing,  Attorney  at  Law,  of  Lexington,  Mo.,  and  late  U.  3.  Marshall  of 
that  State. 


AND    EARLY    LIFE.  25 

as  he  obtained  at  the  primary  school — I  have  no 
particular  information.  I  have  often  heard  him  speak 
of  being  at  college,  where  the  students  had  hard  fare, 
hard  tasks,  and  hard  living ;  but  I  do  not  know  the 
name  of  the  institution.  He  had  studied  the  Latin 
pretty  extensively,  and  some  Greek ;  but  he  did  not 
profess  thorough  and  critical  scholarship  in  many 
branches  of  science  and  literature." 

Like  Franklin,  he  seems  very  early  to  have  acquired 
a  fondness  for  books.  It  will  hereafter  appear  that  his 
varied  and  extensive  reading  made  him  emphatically  a 
learned  man,  though  not  systematically  educated.  The 
vigor  of  his  manhood,  and  the  brilliancy  of  his  success 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  evinced  intellectual  endow- 
ments of  a  high  order. 

His  parents  having  died  in  Virginia,  the  surviving 
family  removed  to  what  was  then  called  ^'  the  Cumber- 
land Country,"  and  settled  in  Davidson  County,  about 
six  miles  above  the  present  city  of  Nashville.  Their 
residence  was  not  far  distant  from  the  Spring  Hill 
Church,  which  seems  to  have  been  for  some  time  a 
central  point  in  the  settlement.  Elder  Barton  W. 
Stone,  on  his  preaching  tour  "  through  all  the  settle- 
ments of  Cumberland,"  in  1796,  speaks  of  "  Nashville, 
which,"  he  says,  at  the  time,  "  was  a  poor  little  village, 
hardly  worth  notice." 

Although  these  orphans  had  enjoyed  the  blessing  of 

pious  parents  and  much  religious  instruction,  it  is  not 

known  that  any  of  them,  at  the  time,  professed  to  know 

the  Saviour  in  the  pardon  of  their  sins.     But  such  had 

3 


2ff  BIKTH,  PARENTAGE, 

been  their  early  associations,  and  such  their  cherished 
sentiments,  that  they  desired  the  enjoyment  of  those 
advantages  in  a  new  home,  to  which  they  had  been 
accustomed  in  the  old  one  lately  left  behind.  Their 
principal  motive,  therefore,  in  selecting  this  as  their 
place  of  residence,  appears  to  have  been  their  apprecia- 
tion of  Church  privileges,  a  good  school,  and  a  virtuous 
and  intelligent  community. 

Though  there  is  no  positive  evidence,  there  is  strong 
probability  that  the  subject  of  this  memoir  obtained  hia 
knowledge  of  languages,  with  some  branches  of  science, 
at  Spring  Hill  Seminary.  For  at  an  early  period  Rev. 
Dr.  Brooks,  an  experienced  instructor,  was  placed  at 
the  head  of  this  institution. 

In  a  new  country,  much  harassed  by  Indian  hostilities^ 
but  among  a  people  moral,  intelligent,  high-spirited  and 
industrious,  the  early  youth  of  Finis  Ewing  was  passed. 
Here  his  mind,  naturally  active,  acquired  the  materials 
of  its  intellectual  strength.  Here  his  character,  consti- 
tutionally enterprising,  derived  the  germ  of  its  future 
developments.  Surrounding  circumstances  were  calcu- 
lated in  no  small  degree  to  engender  strong  feelings, 
generous  sympathies,  and  kindly  affections  r  these,  when 
sanctified  by  grace,  directed  by  truth,  and  called  into 
exercise  by  a  revival  of  unparalleled  power,  rendered 
their  possessor  both  persevering  in  labor,  and  powerful 
in  accomplishment. 

From  his  seventeenth  year,  the  materials  for  Ewing^s 
biography,  assume  a  more  regular  and  reliable  form. 
Several  persons  now  living  remember  him,  as  early  as 


AND    EARLY    LIFE.  27 

1790,  and  afterwards  ;  -while  he  resided  with  his  eldest 
brother,  Robert,  who  has  since  been  known  as  General 
Ewing,  of  Logan  county,  Ky.  Rev.  Samuel  McSped- 
den,  who  resided  at  the  time,  in  the  same  neighborhood, 
but  now  lives  in  Warren  county,  Tenn.,  speaks  of  him 
as  follows  : 

"  He  was  comely  in  person,  graceful  in  manners, 
frank,  kind,  and  generous  in  bis  disposition.  He  was 
more  than  ordinarily  robust  and  athletic,  quite  fond  of 
the  usual  sports,  and  well  practiced  in  feats  of  activity. 
He  was  one  of  the  faithful  friends  of  his  country,  and 
ranked  among  those  young  men,  who  constituted  the 
safe-guard  of  the  settlement,  against  Indian  depreda- 
tion. He  was  considered  a  young  man  of  fine  talents, 
and  extraordinary  energy  of  character.  He  was  very 
moral,  regularly  attended  Church,  and  always  appeared 
to  give  respectful  attention  to  the  services  of  the 
sanctuary." 

He  is  said  by  others,  to  have  early  distinguished 
himself  among  his  youthful  compeers,  for  his  zeal  and 
energy  in  defence  of  the  settlement.  He  was  always 
ready  when  called  on,  and  sometimes  was  among  the 
first  to  make  the  rally,  on  an  alarm  being  given.  Among 
the  anecdotes,  illustrative  of  the  sportiveness  of  his 
disposition,  as  well  as  the  spirit  of  his  companions,  the 
folloAviiig  may  be  given : 

When  called  out  against  the  Indians  for  the  first  time, 
he  seemed  much  animated,  and  encouraged  himself  and 
companions  by  saying,  "  if  so  many  good  rifles  cannot 
bring  down,  or  drive  away  these  poor  wretches,  we  who 


28  BIRTH,    PARENTAGE, 

carry  them,  cannot  claim  to  be  men."  One  of  the 
party,  older  than  himself,  playfully  reminded  him,  that 
he  yet  lacked  something  of  the  stature  of  a  man.  He 
replied,  "  my  stature  will  increase  with  years ;  and  if 
your  courage  shall  improve  as  much,  you  will  be 
accounted  a  great  man  among  us."  At  a  subsequent 
period,  after  he  had  made  some  spirited  remarks  about  the 
common  defence,  a  companion  replied,  "  Finis  grows 
eloquent  of  late,  when  he  talks  about  defending  our 
women  and  children  ;  perhaps  he  has  an  eye  to  the 
safety  of  a  certain  widow  lady  and  her  pretty  daughter." 
*'  Exactly  so  ;  "  said  he,  "  and  since  all  our  ladies  are 
so  virtuous  and  amiable,  and  all  our  men  so  gallant  and 
warm-hearted,  I  must  contend  that  we  are  the  boys  to 
drive  the  cowardly  savages  across  the  Tennessee,  who 
shall  never  tread  our  soil  again."  The  allusion  is 
supposed  to  have  been  made  to  the  young  lady  whom  he 
afterwards  married. 

•  The  death  of  his  pious  parents  was  a  loss  not  easily 
repaired.  His  brothers  and  sisters  were,  doubtless, 
kind,  affectionate,  and  regardful  of  his  welfare ;  but  as 
none  of  them  professed  experimental  piety,  it  is  probable 
that  their  instructions  went  but  httle  beyond  an  occa- 
sional moral  lecture,  prompted  by  their  solicitude  for 
his  worldly  interests  and  respectability.  They  are 
known  to  have  been  aspiring  and  emulous  of  intellectual 
cultivation  ;  and  in  furtherance  of  this  desirable  object, 
would,  doubtless,  afford  all  needful  encouragement  and 
assistance,  to  their  youngest  brother,  who  was  the 
favorite  of  the  whole  family.     At  the  age  of  nineteen, 


AND    EARLY    LIFE.  29 

he  was  a  distinguished  member  of  the  literary  society, 
organized  by  the  intelligent  gentlemen  of  the  neighbor- 
hood, -with  a  view  to  their  improvement  in  general 
knowledge,  as  well  as  elocution.  This  was  probably  the 
first  society  of  the  kind,  ever  instituted  in  the  "  Cumber- 
land Country."  How  far  Ewing  and  others,  afterwards 
distinguished  for  their  power  in  debate  and  glowing 
eloquence,  were  indebted  to  their  early  connection  with 
this  society,  it  would  be  difficult  to  determine;  it  is 
certain  that  most  of  them  enjoyed  no  better  preparation 
for  speaking  in  public. 

Rev.  Robert  Bell,  one  of  the  fathers  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  and  one  of  its  oldest  hving 
ministers,  now  residing  at  Pontotoc,  Miss.,  has  furnished 
much  valuable  information  respecting  the  subject  of  this 
memoir.  In  his  youth  he  resided  in  the  settlement ; 
and  his  statement  is  as  follows  : 

"  My  first  acquaintance  with  Finis  Ewing  was  in  the 
year  1792,  when  we  met  as  members  of  the  '  Polemic 
Society,'  at  Spring  Hill  Church,  in  Davidson  County, 
Tenn.  At  those  meetings  I  always  regarded  him  as  a 
young  man  of  more  than  ordinary  vigor  of  intellect." 


CHAPTER  m. 

MARRIAGE,    AND    ADMISSION    TO    THE    CHURCH. 

Jdarries  Misa  Peggy  Davidson  —  Notice  of  Gen.  Daridson's  services  in  the  Revolu- 
tion—  Is  killed  at  Gowan's  Ford  —  His  character  —  Monument  to  his  memory 
—  Character  of  the  daughter  —  Inclined  to  be  religious  —  Lifeless  state  of  the 
Church  —  Both  join  the  Church,  being  unregenerate  —  How  accounted  for  — 
Craighead's  preaching  —  His  instructions  to  an  inquirer  —  General  character 
of  Presbyterian  preaching  at  the  time  —  Ignorance  of  the  gospel —  Dearth  of 
vital  piety  —  Orderly  in  their  conduct  —  Reflections. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1793,  Finis  Ewing  was 
united  in  matrimony  with  Peggy,  the  daughter  of 
Gen.  William  Davidson,  formerly  of  North  Carolina, 
deceased.  In  honor  of  this  patriot  of  the  American 
revolution,  and  in  memory  of  his  gallant  services  and 
lamented  death  during  the  darkest  period  of  that 
eventful  contest,  the  county  first  organized  in  the 
Cumberland  Country  received  the  name  of  Davidson: 
Nashville,  its  seat  of  justice,  afterwards  became,  and 
continues  to  be,  the  capital  of  the  State  of  Tennessee. 
The  widow  and  family  of  the  deceased  General  had 
removed  from  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in  this  vicinit3^ 
The  husband  and  father  had  distinsiuished  himself  in  his 
native  State,  among  the  earliest  opposers  of  British 
oppression,  had  served  his  country  in  various  ways 
during  her  struggle  for  liberty,  and  was  killed  in  battle, 


ADMISSION  TO  THE  CHURCH.  81 

<m  the  Catawba  river,  while  opposing  the  advance  of 
the  British  army,  under  Lord  Cornwallis. 

Savannah  and  Charleston  had  fallen  into  the  hands 
-of  the  enemy ;  Georgia  and  South  Carolina,  after  many 
a  fearful  struggle,  had  apparently  submitted  again  to 
British  domination.  No  succors  could  tlien  be  afforded 
by  the  northern  colonies.  Cornwallis  was  advancing  to 
the  anticipated  conquest  of  Virginia,  where  he  expected 
to  effect  a  junction  with  the  British  army  to  be  sent 
from  New  York.  The  British  confidently  assured 
themselves  that  this  union,  with  the  co-operatiou  of 
their  fleet,  which  lined  the  whole  coast,  would  strike  the 
last  blow  at  American  Independence,  and  reduce  the 
revolted  colonies  under  the  power  of  their  oppressors. 
But  Providence  overruled  otherwise.  The  indefatigable 
Morgan,  and  the  brave  Greene,  though  with  too  few 
followers  to  encounter  the  British  forces  in  a  general 
battle,  were  determined  to  harass  them  on  their  march, 
cut  off  their  detachments,  and,  if  possible,  hold  thein 
in  check  till  Washington  could  arrive  and  attack  them 
with  success.  In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  Morgan  had 
gained  the  battle  of  Cowpens,  with  tlie  loss,  to  the 
British,  of  neai'ly  a  thousand  men,  the  colors  of  the 
.seventh  regiment,  and  all  their  carriages  and  baggage. 
And  in  addition  to  all  this,  Gen.  Davidson,  at  the  head 
of  the  North  Carolina  militia,  had  arrived  at  the  Catawba, 
to  oppose  the  passage  of  that  river  by  the  British. 

Chagrined  at  the  loss  of  the  battle  of  Cowpens,  burn- 
ing with  a  desire  of  revenge  and  anxious,  if  possible,  to 
retrieve  the  honor  of  the  British  arms  by  Bome  signal 


82  MARRIASE    ANI> 

advantage  over  the  Americans,  Cornwallis  made  his  way 
by  forced  marches  to  the  Catawba,  with  the  hope  of 
overtaking  and  defeating  them,  befoi'«  they  could  cross 
that  river.  But  on  his  arrival,  the  Americans  had 
ah;eady  crossed  ;  and  by  a  signal  interposition  of  Provi- 
dence, the  late  rains  had  in  the  meantime  swollen  the 
stream  and  rendered  the  fording  difficult  and  hazardous. 
The  skillful  Englishman  marched  and  counter-marched, 
holding  out  the  intent  to  cross  at  different  places,  in 
order  to  keep  his  enemies  dispersed  and  compel  them  to 
guard  the  various  fords  at  the  same  time.  Probably 
having  learaed  that  the  force  under  Geii.  Davidson,  at 
Gowan's  ford,  consisted  only  of  undisciplined  militia,  he 
resolved  to  cross  at  this  place.  After  some  loss  from 
the  brisk  and  well  directed  fire  of  the  Americans,  the 
British  army  gained  the  opposite  bank.  Davidson  had 
disposed  his  army  to  receive  them ;  and  the  action  com- 
menced. But  this  gallant  commander  was  killed  at  the 
first  discharge. 

The  death.of  Gen.  Davidson  was  universally  lamented, 
especially  in  North  Carolina,  where  his  public  and  private 
virtues  were  so  well  known  and  highly  appreciated. 
This  action  and  the  loss  of  the  brave  General  was  not 
without  its  value  to  the  cause  of  American  freedom  ;  the 
army  under  Comwallis  was  thereby  held  in  sufficient 
check  to  enable  Morgan,  with  his  whole  force,  to  retire 
untouched  to  Salisbury.  To  avoid  a  general  action, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  annoy  and  weaken  the  enemy 
as  much  as  possible,  was  the  present  policy  of  the 
Americans. 


ADMISSION  TO  THE  CHURCH.  66 

Davidson  was  a  Christian  as  well  as  a  patriot.  His 
name  is  enrolled  on  the  list  of  martyrs  to  American 
liberty ;  and  patriotism  awards  to  his  memory  the 
tribute  of  tears  of  gratitude.  The  Continental  Congress 
passed  an  order  for  the  erection  of  a  monument  to  the 
memory  of  this  brave  and  good  man.  But  through  the 
embarrassment  of  the  national  finances,  the  order  was 
not  carried  into  effect  at  the  time ;  and  it  was  neglected 
until  the  Hon.  Mr.  Graham,  the  late  Secretary  of  the 
Navy,  and  candidate  for  the  Vice  Presidency,  a  con- 
nection of  Gen.  Davidson,  became  a  member  of  the 
Senate  from  North  Carolina.  Through  the  influence  of 
this  gentleman,  the  order  was  revived ;  and  an  appro- 
priation of  five  hundred  dollars  was  made,  for  the 
erection  of  the  monument,  as  originally  intended  by 
Congress. 

At  the  time  of  their  marriage,  Mr.  Ewing  was  in  his 
twenty-first,  and  Miss  Davidson  in  her  nineteenth  year. 
This  young  lady  was  distinguished  among  her  acquaint- 
ances for  her  beauty  of  person,  strength  of  intellect,  and 
amiability  of  character.  This  is  according  to  the  recol- 
lection of  several  persons  now  living ;  and  the  impression 
of  her  virtues  is  so  strong  on  the  minds  of  some,  that 
they  become  animated  and  eloquent  in  their  description. 
Rev.  Samuel  McSpedden  distinctly  remembers  her, 
and  unites  in  the  general  voice  of  commendation.  He 
tells  an  anecdote  of  Rev.  Dr.  Brooks  who,  although 
he  never  married  and  was  no  great  admirer  of  the  sex 
generally,  yet  acknowledged  he  had  known  two  or  three 
who  came  so  near  to  what  woman  ought  to  be,  as  to  give 


■34  MARRIAGE  AND 

assurance  that  they  would  make  good  wives  :  one  of 
these  was  Miss  Perry  Davidson.  When  the  wags  of  the 
day  would  rally  him  upon  his  inveterate  celibacy,  he 
used  to  express  his  views  of  marriage  in  the  form  of  an 
allegory,  representing  the  world  as  a  certain  inclosure ; 
women  as  so  many  objects  of  attraction,  calculated  to 
entice  the  other  sex ;  and  men  as  rushing  blindfold, 
choosing  without  much  forethought,  and  repenting  in 
long  afterthought.  And  he  usually  added,  "  if  a  man 
could  be  certain  to  get  such  a  lady  as  Miss  Davidson  " 
—  and  he  sometimes  mentioned  one  or  two  others  — 
^'  he  might  esteem  himself  a  happy  as  well  as  fortunate 
husband." 

This  union  was  approved  by  the  families  on  both  sides ; 
and  acquaintances  generally  augured  a  bright  future  for 
the  wedded  pair.  They  soon  after  commenced  house- 
keeping in  the  neighborhood  of  Mr.  Ewing's  brothers. 

At  the  time  of  their  marriage,  neither  Mr.  Ewing 
nor  his  wife  knew  any  thing  of  experimental  religion. 
Both  were  doubtless  amiable,  strictly  moral,  and  inclined 
to  be  religious  in  their  way  ;  but  having  never  heard 
anything  from  their  spiritual  guides,  on  the  subject  of 
an  experience  of  grace,  they  knew  not  that  a  change  of 
heart  was  necessary  in  order  to  salvation.  They  had 
long  attended  on  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Craighead,  had 
frequently  listened  to  the  sermons  of  other  Presbyterian 
preachers,  but  never  heard  the  doctrine  of  regeneration 
inculcated  or  explained.  The  truth  is,  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  at  the  time,  in  that  region,  is  acknowledged  to 
have  been  in  a  lamentably  lukewarm,  and  almost  lifeless 


ADMISSION    TO    THE    CHURCH.  85 

state  ;  its  ministers  were  formal  and  cold ;  and  but  few 
of  its  members,  as  it  afterwards  became  manifest,  knew 
any  thing  of  experimental  religion.  Much  was  heard 
from  the  pulpit  about  "  the  elect  of  God,"  but  little  or 
nothing  about  "  the  born  of  the  Spirit."  With  regard 
to  the  character  of  Presbyterian  preaching,  in  the 
country  at  the  time,  the  report  is  almost  universal,  that 
its  tendency  was  to  a  dry,  speculative  orthodoxy, 
leaving  the  heart  without  interest,  and  the  conscience 
without  alarm. 

Ewing  and  his  wife  were  now  the  united  head  of  a 
family.  They  esteemed  it  their  duty  to  make  the  God 
of  their  fathers  their  trust  and  portion,  to  honor  him  in 
all  things,  and  to  walk  in  the  way  of  righteousness. 
Uninformed  as  they  were,  with  regard  to  the  essentials 
of  Christian  character,  they  seem  to  have  been  desirous 
of  doing  their  duty,  so  far  as  it  had  been  made  known 
to  them.  They  had  certain  ideas  of  their  responsibility 
to  their  heavenly  Father,  their  duty  to  domestics,  and 
the  importance  of  ordering  their  household  in  a  manner 
well  pleasing  to  God.  They  seem  to  have  looked  upon 
the  preaching  of  the  word,  and  the  privileges  of  the 
Church,  as  means  of  grace,  which,  in  some  indefinable 
way,  were  to  work  for  their  benefit,  prepare  them  for 
the  wiser  discharge  of  duty,  and  secure  the  favor  of 
God.  Therefore,  without  any  suspicion  of  their  natural 
depravity,  or  the  necessity  of  regeneration,  without  any 
conception  of  the  grace  of  God  as  it  is  offered  in  the 
gospel  —  further  than  certain  confused  notions  of  fore- 
ordination  and  election,  which  they  had  learned  from 


86  MARRIAGE    AND 

their  spiritual  teachers  —  they  concluded  to  join  the 
Church.  They  were  led  to  believe  themselves  entitled 
to  this  privilege.  They  were  the  children  of  Presby- 
terian parents  ;  and  their  pre-possessions  were  altogether 
in  favor  of  that  Church.  Accordingly  they  applied, 
and  were  received  without  further  ceremony,  as  regular 
members  of  Dr.  Craighead's  Church.  Here  they  dedi- 
cated their  first-born  to  the  Lord  in  the  ordinance  of 
baptism. 

It  may  be  matter  of  surprise  to  the  present  genera- 
tion, that  persons  of  acknowledged  intelligence  in  other 
respects,  should  be  so  ignorant  of  the  pre-requisites  for 
Church  membership  ;  and  that  the  Church  itself  should 
receive  them  without  more  satisfactory  evidence  of  their 
piety.  But  this  may  be  accounted  for,  by  the  great 
spiritual  dearth,  then  prevailing  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  this  western  country ;  and  those  who  will 
consult  Dr.  Davidson's  History  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Kentucky,  and  other  similar  testimony, 
respecting  the  lamentable  state  of  religion  in  that 
Church,  previous  to  the  great  revival  of  1800,  and 
even  among  those  who  opposed  that  revival,  for  twenty- 
five  years  afterwards,  will  cease  to  wonder.  Espe- 
cially, when  to  this  cause  is  added  the  character  of  the 
preaching  and  instructions,  by  Dr.  Craighead  and  other 
ministers  of  the  same  Church,  little  better  could  be 
expected.  Rev.  Samuel  McSpedden,  whose  parents 
were  members  of  Dr.  Craighead's  Church,  and  had 
removed  to  this  country  in  company  with  him,  from 
North  CaroHna,  states  facts  fresh  within  his  recollection  : 


ADMISSION   TO   THE    CHURCH.  37 

and  the  unquestionable  pietj  and  religious  intelligence 
of  such  a  man  give  full  credit  to  his  testimony  ;  it  is  as 
follows : 

"I  sat  under  Dr.  Craighead's  preaching  for  fourteen 
or  fifteen  years,  and  never  heard  him  advance  any  thing 
in  favor  of  the  new  birth,  evangelical  repentance,  or 
saving  faith.  And  though  his  character  for  orthodoxy, 
at  the  time,  and  for  many  years  afterwards,  was  unim- 
peached  and  undoubted,  I  now  suspect  he  entertained, 
to  some  extent  at  least,  a  germ  of  the  errors  of  which  he 
was  afterwards  accused.  His  sermons  appeared  to  have 
not  the  slightest  tendency  to  alarm  the  consciences  of 
his  hearers,  or  to  render  them  dissatisfied  with  them- 
selves. On  the  contrary,  his  preaching  seemed  calcu- 
lated to  quiet  the  fears  of  the  people  and  keep  them 
from  becoming  disturbed  about  their  souls'  salvation. 
There  have  been  several  instances  of  persons  going  to 
him,  with  burdened  consciences,  to  obtain  instruction, 
and  inquire  the  way  of  salvation,  who,  by  his  soothing 
arguments,  have  had  their  consciences  quieted ;  and, 
returning  without  any  internal  evidence  of  a  change  of 
heart,  have  appeared  afterwards  to  remain  satisfied  with 
their  spiritual  condition.  Of  one  case  I  have  a  distinct 
recollection :  that  of  a  Mrs.  Dean,  a  respectable  lady 
and  member  of  the  church,  whom  I  saw  on  her  way  to 
Mr.  Craighead's,  at  a  time  when  my  parents,  who  knew 
and  sympathized  with  her,  said  she  was  in  great  distress 
of  mind  about  the  salvation  of  her  soul.  Mr.  Craighead, 
it  was  said,  told  her,  all  that  was  necessary  for  her  was 
to  believe  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God :  and 


88  MARRIAGE  AND 

on  her  assenting  to  this  truth,  he  soothed  and  comforted 
her,  pronouncing  her  in  the  way  of  salvation.  And 
though  she  professed  not  to  know  any  thing  of  a  change 
of  heart,  her  conscience  became  quiet,  and  she  remained 
satisfied,  appearing  to  think  she  had  experienced  and 
done  all  that  was  proper  and  necessary." 

Some  idea  of  the  general  character  of  Presbyterian 
preaching,  at  the  time  and  place  referred  to,  may  be 
obtained  from  another  statement  of  the  same  venerable 
gentleman.  He  says,  "  during  the  fourteen  years 
previous  to  the  great  revival  of  1800,  I  heard  the 
preaching  of  Dr.  James  Blythe,  Barton  W.  Stone,  John 

Anderson,  (from   North    Carolina,)   John  Doak, 

Caldwell,  WiUiam  McGee,  and  James  McGready :  the 
last  named,  once,  most  of  the  others,  several  times. 
The  tendency  of  most  of  their  sermons  was  not  calcu- 
lated to  awaken  much  interest,  nor  alarm  the  conscience  ; 
nor  did  the  efforts  in  general  seemed  designed  to  accom- 
plish more  than  to  inform  the  understanding.  For  I 
heard  nothing  on  the  necessity  of  the  new  birth  from 
any  of  them,  except  from  McGready  and  McGee,  near 
the  close  of  the  period  mentioned.  If  I  heard  anything 
like  the  doctrine  of  regeneration  from  any  of  the  others, 
it  was  from  Mr.  Stone,  who  was  at  the  time  regarded  an 
orthodox  Presbyterian." 

It  is  not  surprising  that  the  youth  grew  up  ignorant 
of  the  spirit  and  power  of  the  gospel,  that  many  mem- 
bers of  the  church  were  strangers  to  vital  piety,  and  that 
coldness,  darkness,  and  dearth  prevailed  almost  univer- 
sally among  ministers  and  people.  It  was  not  customary 


ADMISSION  TO  THE  CHURCH.  39 

then,  as  now,  for  professors  of  religion  to  confer  and  take 
sweet  counsel  together,  with  regard  to  their  joys  and 
sorrows,  hopes  and  fears,  helps  and  hindrances ;  nor 
were  they  in  the  habit  of  seeking  the  sympathy  and 
assistance  of  kindred  spirits,  whether  rebellious  nature 
or  assisting  grace  might  be  predominant.  It  was  not 
customary  for  Christians  to  speak  of  their  spiritual 
concerns,  nor  to  reveal  their  religious  exercises  ;  and 
those  who  dared  to  do  so  were  sometimes  ridiculed  or 
censured  for  "  malcing  a  hloioing-liorn  "  of  their  religion. 
Previous  to  the  great  revival,  it  was  the  fashion  to 
discourage  all  such  intercommunication.  "Hast  thou 
faith  ?  Have  it  to  thyself  before  God,"*  was  perverted 
into  a  maxim,  often  repeated  and  generally  acted  upon  : 
a  perversion  well  calculated  to  repress  inquiry  and  foster 
ignorance  ;  surely  contrary  to  the  wise  practice  of  those 
who,  fearing  the  Lord,  "  spake  often  to  one  another."  f 
Whether  Ewing  and  his  wife  were  induced  to  unite 
with  the  church,  through  any  direct  influence  or  argu- 
ments of  their  pastor,  is  not  known.  From  what  Ewing 
once  said  to  Dr.  Craighead,  at  a  subsequent  period,  in 
presence  of  the  examining  committee  of  Presbytery  — 
"your  views  of  faith,  sir,  once  came  near  destroying  my 
soul" — it  is  inferred  that  allusion  was  made  to  some 
arguments  employed  to  silence  the  scruples  of  the  latter, 
in  regard  to  joining  the  church.  Certain  it  is  that  Ewing 
and  his  wife  were,  in  their  external  deportment,  very 
orderly  and  exemplary  members.  In  reference  to  this 
subject,  Rev.  Mr.  McSpedden  says,  "  after  joining  the 

*  Rom  xIt,  22.  t  Mai.  Hi,  xvi. 


40  MARRIAGE  AND 

church,  Ewing  was  accustomed  to  take  his  place  in  the 
clerk's  desk,  give  out  the  hymns  and  lead  in  singing. 
He  was  a  very  good  singer  and  had  a  strong  and  melodi- 
ous voice.  Under  preaching  he  always  appeared  attentive, 
usually  solemn  ;  and  I  have  occasionally  seen  him  much 
affected,  even  to  tears.  From  the  change  in  his  man- 
ners and  deportment,  I  never  doubted  the  genuineness 
of  his  piety.  But  being  myself  at  that  time  destitute 
of  any  experimental  knowledge  of  the  work  of  grace  or 
the  fruit  of  the  Spirit,  I  supposed  all  the  religion  neces- 
sary or  possible  to  be  obtained  consisted  in  breaking  oflF 
from  vice,  practicing  virtue,  living  an  orderly  member 
of  the  church,  and  walking  uprightly  as  a  peaceable 
member  of  the  community.  I  would  have  thought  it 
presumption  and  Avickedness  in  me  to  doubt  the  piety 
of  one,  living  in  full  fellowship  with  the  church." 

Formalism  has  been  a  curse  to  the  church  in  all  ages. 
It  was  no  new  thing  for  public  teachers  to  lay  a  wonderful 
stress  on  certain  external  observances,  to  the  neglect  of 
internal  holiness,  purifying  the  heart  and  regulating  the 
life ;  nor  for  a  people  to  grow  up,  having  a  form  of  god- 
liness, but  denying  the  power.  When  this  is  the  case, 
certain  favorite  doctrines  usually  assume  an  undue  promi- 
nence, almost  to  the  exclusion  or  entire  neglect  of  others 
of  vital  importance  ;  while  that  class  of  duties  which  may 
be  found  the  most  easy,  agreeable,  advantageous  or  honor- 
able among  men,  will  probably  be  preferred  to  those 
requiring  mortification,  self-denial,  and  sacrifice,  however 
%lly  injoined  in  the  word  of  God.  For  this  very  sin, 
pur  Lord  pronounced  a  woe  upon  those  blind  guides  and 


ADMISSION  TO  THE  CHURCH.  41 

hypocrites  of  the  Jewish  church :  ''  For  ye  pay  tythe  of 
mint,  and  anise,  and  cummin,  and  have  omitted  the 
weightier  matters  of  the  law,  and  judgment,  mercy,  and 
faith ;  these  ought  ye  to  have  done,  and  not  to  leave  the 
other  undone."  * 

Nevertheless,  it  is  matter  of  profound  astonishment  that 
ministers  of  good  standing  in  the  Presbyterian  church, 
of  any  reputation  for  piety,  talents,  and  learning,  should 
be  so  zealous  for  certain  points  of  doctrine  which  they 
deemed  essential  to  God's  sovereignty,  that  they 
"  omitted  the  weightier  matters  "  of  man's  free  agency, 
accountability,  and  total  depravity,  the  necessity  of 
repentance,  faith,  regeneration,  and  sanctification,  in 
order  to  glorification  of  heaven.  That  this  kind  of 
preaching  was  not  pecuHar  to  Dr.  Craighead,  but  was 
characteristic  of  the  other  ministers  who  visited  his  con- 
gregation, with  the  exception  of  McGready,  McGee,  and 
perhaps  a  few  others  who  were  there  a  short  time  before 
the  great  revival,  is  evident  from  the  testimony  of  per- 
sons who  resided  in  that  section  at  the  time,  and  have 
survived  that  period.  It  is  not  easy  to  account  for  the 
prevalence,  in  any  degree,  of  this  kind  of  teaching  by 
the  ministers  of  a  church,  holding  to  the  great  doctrines 
of  the  reformation ;  but  the  fact  being  known,  we  are 
not  surprised  that  many  persons  were  received  into  full 
fellowship  with  the  church,  who  were  totally  ignorant 
of  their  natural  depravity  as  well  as  of  any  gracious 
work  wrought  in  their  hearts  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 

*  Matt,  xxiii,  23. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

CONVERSION   OF  HUSBAND   AND   WIFE. 

Ignorance  of  the  truth  leads  to  error  —  Satisfied  with  their  spiritual  condition  — 
Ecmoval  to  Kentucky  —  McGready  —  His  preaching  —  Alarming  to  the  formalist 

—  Compared  with  Craighead  —  Ewing  and  his  wife  awakened  — Communicate 
freely  with  each  other  —  Inquiries  —  Difficulties  growing  out  of  wrong  views  of 
Faith  —  Ready  to  despair  —  The  husband  rejoices  in  hope  —  The  wife  comfortless 

—  She  finds  peace  in  belicTing  —  Date  of  these  conversions  —  Rev.  R.  Donnell 
fixes  it  in  1797  or  8  —  A  goodly  example  —  Mrs.  Ewing's  services  to  the  Church 

—  Is  now  in  her  eightieth  year  —  Lives  to  pray  for  the  Church  —  Is  waiting  her 
Lord's  summons. 

We  have  seen  that  Mr.  Ewing  and  his  wife  had 
joined  Dr.  Craighead's  Church,  maintaining  an  upright 
and  exemplary  deportment.  They  were  anxious  to  do 
their  duty,  so  far  as  they  understood  it.  They  had  no 
idea  of  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart,  nor  of  the 
grace  of  God  which  bringeth  salvation.  The  work  of 
the  Spirit  was  wholly  unknown  to  them.  They  had 
received  from  their  spiritual  guides  certain  indefinable 
notions  of  predestination,  election,  and  effectual  calling, 
as  well  as  of  the  necessity  of  faith  in  order  to  make 
their  calling  and  election  sure.  Nothing,  however,  had 
been  inculcated  on  the  doctrine  of  faith,  beyond  a  mere 
belief  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God.  This  they 
had  been  taught  by  their  parents  from  their  earliest 
years ;    this   they  had   never   doubted ;    and   now,  as 


UUSBAXD    AND    WIFE.  43 

members  of  the  Chm-ch,  as  parents  expecting  shortly  to 
dedicate  their  first-born  to  the  Lord  in  baptism,  and 
especially  as  persons  giving  diligence  to  make  their 
calling  and  election  sui-e,  it  is  not  surprising  that  they 
embraced  this  sentiment  as  the  fomidation  of  their  hopes. 

This  young  couple  continued  satisfied  with  themselves 
and  their  spiritual  state,  except  when  an  occasional 
difficulty,  or  a  passing  doubt,  was  suggested  as  they 
read  the  scriptures,  until  their  removal  to  Kentucky, 
which  took  place  sometime  after  the  birth  of  their  first 
child.  They  settled  in  Logan  County,  eight  miles  from 
Russelville,  near  the  Red  River  meeting  house.  Here 
was  one  of  the  Churches  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Rev.  James  McGready.  This  Church  afterwards 
became  famous  as  the  place  where  were  witnessed  the 
first  displays  of  the  power  and  grace  of  God,  in  the 
glorious  revival  of  1800. 

This  devoted  pastor,  this  son  of  thunder,  as  well  as  of 
consolation,  was  not  one  of  those  ministers  who  could 
suffer  the  people  of  his  charge  to  continue  in  ignorance 
of  the  great  doctrines  of  the  gospel :  the  depravity  of 
the  human  heart,  the  necessity  of  regeneration,  the 
atonement  made  by  Christ,  and  the  necessary  quali- 
fications for  Heaven.  He  was,  strictly  speaking,  a 
Calvinist,  but  of  a  moderate  grade,  more  zealous  to 
teach  his  people  the  plan  of  salvation  than  the  subtleties 
of  a  favorite  system ;  more  concerned  about  their  sure 
preparation  for  Heaven,  than  their  right  construction 
of  a  creed.  In  his  sermons  he  was  accustomed  to 
dwell  with  an  energy  and  eloquence  seldom  if  evejr 


44  COT^VEHSION   QF 

surpassed,  on  the  purity,  spirituality,  and  justice  of 
God's  law;  the  reigning  power,  odious  nature,  and 
destructive  consequences  of  sin ;:  the  freeness,  suitable- 
ness, and  sufficiency  of  the  gospel;  the  love  of  the 
Father  in  giving  his  Son  a  ransom  for  all,  and  his 
Spirit  to  reprove  the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness, 
and  of  judgment ;  the  wrath  of  Jehovah  awaiting  the 
rejecters  of  offered  mercy,  as  well  as  the  bliss  and 
glory  prepared  for  those  who  obey  the  gospel  of  the 
grace  of  God.  From  the  testimony  of  thousands  it 
would  appear  that  few  men,  of  any  age,  have  excelled 
him  in  power  of  description,  whether  his  theme  was 
the  joys  of  the  righteous,  or  the  torments  of  the 
wicked.  Rev.  WiUiam  Barnet,  now  deceased,  used  to 
say,  '^  Father  McGready  would  so  describe  Heaven, 
that  you  would  almost  see  its  glories,  and  long  to  be 
there ;  and  he  would  so  array  hell  and  its  horrors 
before  the  wicked,  that  they  would  tremble  and  quake, 
imagining  a  lake  of  fire  and  brimstone  yawning  to 
overwhelm  them,  and  the  wrath  of  God  thru&ting  them 
down  the  horrible  abyss."  His  genius,  however,  was 
better  suited  to  the  sublime  than  the  beautiful,  to  the 
dreadful  than  the  enrapturing.  His  learning  was 
respectable,  and  as  a  reasoner,  he  was  clear,  concise, 
and  conclusive.  He  was  a  heart-searching  as  well  as 
a  soul  stirring  preacher,  powerful  to  detect  the  hypocrite 
and  alarm  the  formalist ;  and  his  views  of  the  duty  of 
a  faithful  pastor  leading  him  to  scrutinize  the  ground- 
work of  the  Christian's  hope,  very  many  members  of 
the  various  churches  were  constrained  to  abandon  their 


IIU.SEAND    AND    WIFE.  45 

sandy  foundation,  and  build  anew  on  the  rock  Christ 
Jesus. 

Ewing  and  his  wife  were  not  long  in  discovering  a 
remarkable  difference  between  their  former,  and  their 
present  pastor.  If  Dr.  Craighead  was  more  graceful 
in  his  manner,  polished  in  his  stjle,  and  pleasing  in 
his  address,  Mr.  McGready  was  more  earnest  in  his 
delivery,  irresistible  in  his  arguments,  and  solemn  in  his 
appeals  to  the  conscience.  If  the  former  appeared 
anxious  to  interest  an  enlightened  audience  by  a  masterly 
discourse,  the  latter  seemed  only  intent  on  convincing 
candidates  for  eternity  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 
If  the  former  could  win  admiration  by  his  apt  illustra- 
tions, brilliant  imagery,  and  flights  of  imagination,  the 
latter  could  cause  trembling  of  soul  by  his  reasoning  of 
righteousness,  temperance,  and  judgment  to  come.  If 
the  former  was  a  man  of  learning  and  a  popular  speaker, 
the  latter  was  a  man  of  God  and  a  preacher  of  right- 
eousness. If  the  former  resembled  Dr.  Chauney,  of 
the  great  awakening  in  the  last  century,  the  latter  would 
more  fully  compare  with  George  Whitefield,  of  the  same 
period. 

The  sermons  of  Mr.  McGready  soon  awakened  in 
the  minds,  both  of  Ewing  and  his  wife,  new  thoughts 
and  anxieties  with  regard  to  their  spiritual  condition. 
They  heard  nothing  to  which  their  minds  could  remain 
indifferent,  or  over  which  their  consciences  could  slum- 
ber. The  whole  system  of  religion  seemed  to  be  presented 
to  their  view  in  an  unusual  form,  and  invested  with  a 
different  character ;   but  whether  their  past,  or  their 


46  CONVERSION    OF 

present  instructions  were  the  more  scriptural  and  worthy 
of  their  regard,  was  a  question  which  they  were  not 
prepared  to  deciile.  It  was  an  absorbing  question, 
however,  which  occupied  their  thoughts  and  investiga- 
tions, during  their  waking  hours.  The  soul's  concerns 
and  the  mind's  exercises  were  not  with  them  —  as  with 
too  many  professors  of  religion  at  that  time  —  prohibited 
subjects.  Whatever  concerned  one,  equally  concerned 
the  other.  Having  entered  into  the  connubial  state,  in 
the  very  morning  of  life,  with  minds  unsophisticated  by 
the  world's  false  maxims,  and  hearts  glowing  with  the 
fenderest  sympathies,  it  would  seem  that  in  them  was 
realized  the  beautiful  picture  of  the  poet : 

"But  happy  they,  tlie  happiest  of  their  kindl 
Whom  gentler  stars  unite,  and  in  one  fate 
Their  hearts,  their  fortunes,  and  their  beings  blend. 

******* 

"  Thought  meeting  thought,  and  will  preventing  will, 
With  boundless  confidence."  * 

To  each  other  they  communicated  their  inmost  thoughts  ; 
together  they  addressed  a  throne  of  grace  ;  and  together 
they  searched  the  scriptures  daily.  But  inexperienced 
as  they  were,  and  with  minds  embarrassed  by  previous 
instructions,  they  were  not  unlike  the  Eunuch,  of  whom 
Philip  inquired —  "  Understandest  thou  what  thou  read- 
est?"  —  and  they  might  have  said — "How  can  I, 
except  some  man  should  guide  me."  f  Their  present 
pastor  was  just  the  man  to  preach  unto  them  Jesus  ; 

*  Thompson's  Spring.  t  ATtf  Tiii,  30. 


HUSBAND    AND    WIFE.  47 

and  though  at  first  they  had  not  been  very  much  pre- 
possessed in  his  favor,  they  now  regarded  him  as  a  man 
full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  faith. 

Their  first  subject  of  interest  and  inquiry  was  the 
doctrine  of  total  and  universal  depravity ;  this  in  con- 
nection with  -the  law,  Mr.  BIcGready  used  to  preach 
with  unsurpassed  power  and  effect.  Could  this  be  true  ? 
They  found  the  sentiment  fully  sustained  by  the  scrip- 
tures. Next,  in  reference  to  the  doctrine  of  the  new 
birth,  they  began  to  inquire,  like  Nicodemus,  "  how  can 
these  things  be  ?  "  They  soon  found  they  must  yield 
assent  to  our  Lord's  own  words.  On  these  subjects, 
they  had  heard  but  little  or  nothing  which  required  to 
be  unlearned.  But  it  was  very  difierent  with  respect 
to  the  doctrine  of  faith ;  here  a  prejudice  was  to  be 
displaced,  before  truth  could  enter  their  hearts.  They 
had  been  taught  that  saving  faith  consisted  in  the 
belief  that  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God  ;  but  their 
present  pastor  made  a  clear  distinction  between  a  mere 
historical,  and  a  true  saving  faith.  When  doctors  differ, 
what  shall  learners  do  ? 

The  subject  appeared  intricate  and  full  of  mystery ; 
it  conflicted  with  all  their  previous  instructions  and 
settled  opinions ;  and,  to  their  grief  and  consternation, 
it  struck  at  the  very  foundation  of  all  their  hopes. 
Knowing  that  God  "  desired  truth  in  the  inward  parts," 
and  praying  that  he  might  "  make  them  to  know 
wisdom,"*  long  and  sedulously  did  they  investigate  this 
subject. 

•Ppalm  li,  6. 


^  coxYERSiox  or 

*'  K  anv  of  vou  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  cf  God, 
that  giveth  to  all  men  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not ; " 
and  it  shall  be  given  him.''  *  *•  K  anv  man  will  do  his 
-will,  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine,  whether  it  be  of 
God."t  Bv  diligent  reading  of  the  scriptnres.  patient 
self-examination,  and  humble  praver.  they  a*  length 
experienced  the  truth  of  these  promises,  so  far  as  to 
discover  that  they  were  strangers  to  the  faith  of  the 
gospel.  They  conversed  together  freely  and  frequently, 
and  communicated  to  each  other  their  forebodings  of 
evil,  resulting  from  the  dangerous  error  into  which  they 
had  been  misled.  They  mutually  confeased  to  each 
other,  that  they  had  joined  the  church  in  an  unregen- 
erate  state  ;  that  they  neither  knew  the  Saviour  in  the 
psodon  01  their  sins,  nor  the  love  of  Grod  shed  abroad  in 
iheir  hearts  by  the  Holy  Ghost.  They  had  a  name 
to  live,  while  they  were  dead ;  they  had  "  a  form  of 
godliness,  but  denying  the  power."  They  now  clearly 
saw  they  were  in  danger  of  losing  their  souls,  unless 
(rod,  for  Christ's  sake,  would  have  mercy  on  them. 
Sometimes,  in  view  of  their  own  sinfulness,  the  jusnce 
of  God  and  the  purity  of  his  law,  they  were  ready  to 
depair ;  but  they  remembered  our  Lord's  declaration, 
tiiat  he  "  came  not  to  call  the  righteous,  but  sinners  to 
repentance  ;"^  that  "  Christ  suffered,  the  just  for  the 
unjust  ;"§  that  he  was  "  crowned  with  glory  and  honor, 
Aat  he,  by  the  grace  of  God,  should  taste  death  for 
every  man.''|j 

Suffice  it  to  say,  that  after  many  prayers  and  tears, 

(  L  6-    ♦  John  Tfi.  17     ♦  Sbric  S.  17     ^1  P*:er  m,  IS.     T  He*re»s  fi, ». 


HUSBAND    AND    WIFE.  49 

after  many  confessions  of  sin,  and  acknowledgments 
of  the  justice  of  God  in  their  condemnation  —  "while 
engaged  in  family  worship,  which  this  couple  had  regu- 
larly observed  since  joining  the  church  —  Mr.  Ewing 
became  filled  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing.  Now  a 
new  page  was  turned  in  this  family  history.  Neither 
the  wife  nor  the  husband,  who  had  hitherto  been  of  one 
heart  and  one  mind,  had  imagined  it  possible  that  they 
could  separate,  the  one  journeying  to  heaven,  the  other 
left  behind.  While  the  soul  of  the  one  was  filled  with 
joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory,  the  heart  of  the  other 
was  oppressed  with  a  sense  of  guilt  and  trembling,  in 
view  of  the  divine  displeasure.  It  was  not  so  even 
in  Eden,  where  the  first  sin  was  committed  and  the  first 
promise  given :  they  who  had  together  fallen,  heard  the 
voice  of  mercy,  and  together  were  comforted.  But 
here,  they  who  had  ever  shared  each  other's  joys  and 
sorrows,  now,  for  the  first  and  only  time  during  their 
married  life,  found  their  spiritual  sympathies,  afieccions, 
and  prospects,  utterly  at  variance ;  the  one  rejoicing  in 
hope,  the  other  groaning  in  despondency. 

But  this  state  of  things  did  not  last  long.  After  a 
few  days,  as  Mr.  Ewing  was  returning  from  the  grove, 
where  he  had  been  praying  for  the  conversion  of  one  so 
dear  to  his  afiections,  his  wife  met  him,  her  counte- 
nance beaming  with  joy,  and  her  heart  glowing  with 
love  to  God.  She,  too,  had  found  a  kneeling  place, 
where  her  Saviour  had  deigned  to  meet  her,  and  speak 
pardon  and  peace  to  her  soul.  The  joy  of  this  meeting, 
under  the  cironmstance3,  mav  be  better  imagined  than 


50"  CONVERSION   OF 

described.  Now  "  the  love  of  Christ  which  passeth 
knowledge,"  *  had  come  to  that  house  ;  and  "  the  peace 
of  God  which  passeth  all  understanding,  shall  keep  those 
hearts  and  minds  through  Jesus  Christ."  For  thej  are 
not,  like  our  first  parents,  under  a  covenant  of  works ; 
but,  like  all  true  behevers,  under  a  covenant  of  grace. 
The  exact  date  of  these  conversions  has  not  been  satis- 
factorily ascertained.  Some,  with  only  a  superficial 
knowledge  of  the  afiairs  of  the  church,  but  remembering 
that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ewing  were  members  thereof,  while 
living  in  Tennessee,  would  without  further  enquiry  ante- 
date the  time  of  their  deliverance  from  spiritual  bondage, 
by  several  years.  Others,  having  often  heard  them 
mentioned  among  the  first  fruits  of  the  great  revival  of 
1800,  seem  to  have  taken  it  for  granted  that  they  were 
born  again  in  that  year.  But  Dr.  Smith  in  his  history 
states  that  McGready,  as  early  as  1797,  "  began  to  see 
some  of  the  fruit  of  his  labors,"  in  the  congregation  of 
Gasper  River ;  and  in  September  1798,  "  the  two  other 
congregations  under  his  pastoral  care,  also  experienced 
refreshing  times  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  "  And, 
although  the  historian  above  cited  goes  on  to  say,  "  the 
whole  work  was  stopped  and  the  people  sunk  back  into 
a  state  of  darkness  and  deadness, "  in  consequence  of 
the  strange  conduct  of  Rev.  James  Balch,  a  minister 
of  the  same  Presbytery,  "who  opposed  the  doctrines 
of  Faith,  Repentance  and  Regeneration,  ridiculed  the 
whole  work  of  revival,  formed  a  considerable  party, 
and  involved  these  young  churches  in  disputation  and 

*  Ephesiaus  Ui,  19. 


HUSBAND    AXD   WIFE.  61 

confusion ;  "  yet  there  is  nothing  in  this  or  any  other 
account  to  preclude  the  idea  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ev^ing 
were  converted  during  these  awakenings.  Rev.  Robert 
Donnell  of  Alabama,  in  reply  to  a  letter  of  inquiry  on 
the  subject  writes  as  follows  : 

"  In  1797  and  1798,  there  was  considerable  religious 
excitement  at  the  old  Ridge  congregation,  at  which  time 
my  brother  Samuel  professed  religion ;  and  my  sister 
Sarah  —  afterwards  married  to  John,  the  son  of  Col. 
Given  —  and  several  others  of  the  family  became  deeply 
convicted.  There  was  also  about  the  same  time  con- 
siderable religious  interest,  at  Red  River  congregation, 
where  I  think  Father  Ewing  professed.  I  first  saw  him 
at  my  father's  in  1798  ;  he  was  intimate  with  my  brother 
Samuel ;  and  they  both  appeared  to  be  very  religious. 
I  was  but  a  boy,  but  such  was  the  tenor  of  his  conversa- 
tion and  the  ardor  of  his  piety,  that  even  then  I  some 
how  received  the  impression  that  he  was  called  to  preach 
the  gospel. " 

The  religious  experience  of  Mr.  Ewing  has  been  thus 
far  presented  in  connection  with-  that  of  his  wife,  because 
together  they  embraced,  but  afterwards  abandoned  the 
same  fatal  error ;  together  they  inquired  after  truth, 
reading  the  same  Bible,  kneeling  at  the  same  altar  and 
presenting  the  same  petitions ;  and  alone  with  each 
other,  united  by  sympathy  of  soul,  they  traveled  from 
darkness  to  light.  Their  example  is  worthy  of  imitation, 
and  may  serve  to  rebuke  those  who,  instead  of  being 
mutual  helps,  become  hindrances  one  of  the  other,  in 
the  concerns  of  their  souls.    For  the  unbelievino;  husband 


62  CONVERSION    OF 

is  sanctified  bj  the  wife,  and  the  unbelieving  wife  is 
sanctified  by  the  husband.  * 

But  Mr.  Ewing  is  about  to  appear  in  a  new  character. 
We  shall  find  him  engaged  in  pursuits  in  which  his  wife, 
however  deeply  she  might  sympathize,  could  not  be 
actually  associated.  It  will  be  proper  here  to  conclude 
whatever  is  necessary  to  be  said  of  this  excellent  lady. 

Mrs.  Ewing  is  still  ahve  ;  therefore  the  pen  of  eulogy 
which  might  otherwise  be  employed  in  portraying  her 
many  virtues,  is  necessarily  restrained.  It  is  well  known 
however  that,  in  the  progress  of  the  great  revival,  in  the 
prosperity  of  the  infant  church  which  therein  took  its 
origin,  and  in  the  success  of  her  husband's  ministerial 
labors,  she  felt,  and  on  suitable  occasions  manifested,  an 
unbounded  interest.  Her  hospitality  and  kindness  of 
heart  were  proverbial ;  and  she. seemed  to  think  no  labor 
or  sacrifice  on  her  part  too  great  for  the  accomodation 
of  religious  friends  and  others  who  resorted  to  her  house, 
for  the  sake  of  her  husband's  company  or  counsels. 
The  many  ministers,  now  occupying  prominent  places  of 
usefulness,  who  have  been  gratuitously  boarded,  clothed 
and  educated  by  her  husband,  would  deem  it  unpar- 
donable not  to  mention  her  unwearied  efforts  for  their 
accomodation,  her  careful  solicitude  for  their  comfort  and 
her  great  zeal  for  their  intellectual  and  spiritual  improve- 
ment. Should  her  biography  ever  be  faithfully  written, 
it  will  appear  that  she  was  the  fit  and  happy  counter-part 
of  her  excellent  husband. 

The  writer  visited  this  venerable  lady  in  the  summer 

*  1  Cor.  Tii,  14. 


HUSBAND    AND    WIFE.  53 

of  1848  ;  and  her  numerous  religious  friends  and  admiring 
acquaintances  -will  expect  to  hear  something  concerning 
her  spiritual  state  and  prospects,  in  her  advanced  age. 
Mrs.  Ewing  was  then  in  her  seventy-sixth  year,  but 
retained,  in  a  i-emarkable  degree,  her  native  vigor  of 
intellect.  She  considered  herself  a  miracle  of  the  grace 
and  mercy  of  God,  who,  through  the  instrumentality  of 
one  of  his  faithful  servants,  had  bi-ought  her  to  abandon 
a  dangerous  error,  and  embrace  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus.  Her  heart  seemed  full  of  gratitude  to  God,  that 
she  had  been  permitted  to  witness  the  glorious  revival 
of  1800,  and  its  no  less  glorious  results,  something  of 
w^hich  she  could  see  and  hear  every  day  ;  and  that  she 
had  been  united  with  one  who  lived  only  to  labor  for 
God  and  our  fallen  race,  and  who  afforded  her  so  many 
opportunities  of  doing  what  she  could  in  her  humble 
sphere,  for  the  same  precious  cause.  "  I  can  do 
nothing  now,"  said  she,  "  but  it  is  still  my  privilege  to 
pray  for  the  church  ;  and  for  this  I  may  have  been  so 
long  spared."  Though  her  husband  had  been  much 
from  home,  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  church,  she 
praised  her  heavenly  Father's  goodness,  that  no  adverse 
providence,  no  disastrous  event,  no  domestic  affliction, 
had  ever  occurred  in  his  absence.  And  notwithstanding 
they  had  been  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  three  of  their 
children,  in  these  seasons  of  affliction  her  husband  had 
been  in  the  bosom  of  his  family.  It  was  matter  of  great 
joy  to  her  that,  with  the  exception  of  two,  all  her 
children  had  professed  the  faith  of  the  gospel ;  and  she 
peemed  to  exercise  strong  fuith,  that  God,  in  answer  to 


54  CONVERSION,  ETC. 

the  many  prayers  of  which  they  had  been  the  subjects, 
would  convert  these  two  unbeHeving  ones.  "  All  the 
days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait,  till  my  change 
come,"  said  she,  "  then  shall  I  leave  this  world  of  sin, 
sorrow,  toil,  and  pain,  and  go  to  my  home  in  heaven, 
where  I  shall  see  my  Jesus  as  he  is,  and  be  like  him." 
One  who  was  present  asked,  "  Do  you  not  anticipate  a 
happy  meeting  with  those  loved  ones  who  have  gone 
before  ?  "  Her  answer  was,  "  0  yes ;  and  it  will  be 
joyful,  but  nothing  like  seeing  my  precious  Saviour: 
without  Him  heaven  would  be  no  heaven  to  me." 


CHAPTER  V. 

CALL   TO    THE   MINISTRY. 

Study  of  the  Bible  —  Progress  in  religious  knowledge  —  Counsels  sought  —  Aptness 
to  teach  —  Is  made  an  Elder  —  Leads  in  social  worship  —  Exhorts  publicly  — 
Exercises  of  a  called  minister  —  Not  made  known  —  Inferences  —  Recollections 
of  Rev.  R.  Bell  —  Of  Rev.  R.  Donnell  —  Of  Mrs.  Ewing  —  Licensed  to  itinerate  — 
Ijabors  blessed  —  Approved  by  friends  of  the  revival  —  Opposition  —  Arguments 
for  and  against  —  Reasons  for  not  going  to  College —  Continues  in  the  revivaL 

Mr.  Ewing  had  been  accustomed  to  read  tlie  scrip- 
tures from  his  childhood.  While  pursuing  his  classical 
studies,  repelhng  Indian  invasions,  and  prosecuting  the 
objects  of  the  Polemical  Society,  the  Bible  was  his 
constant  companion  ;  and  it  is  said,  he  was  indebted  to 
that  source  for  some  of  his  best  arguments  and  happiest 
^jBbrts  in  debate.  This  was  owing,  partly,  to  the  early 
training  and  habits  of  his  family,  and  partly  to  a  peculiar 
constitution  of  mind,  which  could  not  be  content  with 
superficial  knowledge,  but  was  impelled  to  examine 
patiently,  until  it  could  arrive  at  clear  and  satisfactory 
ideas,  on  whatever  subject  demanded  investigation. 
Particularly  after  he  became  a  married  man  and  a 
member  of  the  church,  did  he  search  for  hidden  treasures 
in  the  word  of  God,  availing  himself  of  the  advantage 
of  commentaries,  and  such  other  helps  as  could  be 
obtained.     Previous  to  his  removal  from  Tennessee,  he 


56  CALL   TO    THE    MINISTRY. 

had  become  somewhat  noted  for  his  religious  intelligence  ; 
and  this  may  account  for  his  occupying  in  the  church, 
notwithstanding  his  youth,  so  conspicuous  a  position  as 
the  Clerk's  desk. 

Ordinary  minds  may  be  satisfied  with  mediocrity  in 
their  acquisitions.  But  there  are  minds  of  a  nobler 
mould,  not  to  be  discouraged  by  difficulties  nor  impeded 
by  obstacles  ;  and  their  excellence,  however  high  it  may 
reach,  only  stimulates  to  still  loftier  attainments.  That 
the  intellect  of  Mr.  Ewing  was  of  the  latter  character, 
his  whole  life  affords  indubitable  evidence.  After 
trusting  in  a  Saviour's  merits,  and  being  justified  by 
faith,  he  made  the  inspired  volume,  together  with  some 
theological  and  devotional  works,  his .  constant  study. 
He  now  read  and  investigated,  not  so  much  to  improve 
his  mind  as  his  heart  and  life  ;  not  so  much  to  acquire 
general  information  as  to  understand  the  precious  truth, 
and  make  it  the  rule  of  his  practice.  His  depth  of 
piety  and  knowledge  of  the  scriptures  soon  became 
so  well  known  and  justly  appreciated,  that  doubting 
professors  and  anxious  inquirers  often  visited  him,  to 
receive  his  valuable  instructions  and  join  in  his  family 
devotions.  He  was  ever  easy  of  access,  unreserved  in 
his  intercourse,  clear  in  his  exposition  of  truth,  pointed 
and  practical  in  its  application.  Whenever  a  complicated 
case  or  question  was  presented,  it  was  to  be  resolved 
only  by  a  reference  "  to  the  law  and  the  testimony." 
In  this  humble,  unpretending  way,  he  showed  himself 
willing  to  do  good  and  communicate,  as  became  an 
intelligent    layman   and   Avarm-hearted   Christian.      His 


CALL   TO   THE   MINISTRY.  57 

aptness  to  teach,  at  all  times  proper  and  praiseworthy, 
began  to  be  manifested  as  early  as  1798  and  '99, 
during  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  in  the  three  congre- 
gations under  the  care  of  Mr.  McGready,  which  may 
be  regarded  as  the  first  fruits  of  that  glorious  work 
which  succeeded. 

Grateful  for  his  deliverance  from  the  curse  of  a  broken 
law,  and  sympathizing  with  the  sorrowing  multitudes  who 
were  groaning  for  redemption  from  the  same  yoke  of 
bondage,  he  thought  it  not  only  his  privilege  but  his 
duty  to  do  what  he  could  for  their  spiritual  benefit.  The 
field  was  large,  the  laborers  few.  He  had  accepted  the 
office  of  ruling  elder  in  the  church  to  which  he  belonged  ; 
and  probably  at  first,  without  the  slightest  suspicion  that 
he  would  become  a  minister,  he  occasionally  complied 
with  the  soHcitations  of  his  brethren  that  he  would  lead 
in  their  meetings  for  social  worship,  which  now  became 
frequent  and  were  numerously  attended.  This  prepared 
the  way  for  his  being  urged  and  entreated  by  the  church 
sessions  to  conduct  the  public  exercises  of  several  con- 
gregations, when  no  minister  was  present.  As  the  pastor 
had  under  his  charge  three  congregations,  and  was  neces- 
sarily absent  much  of  the  time,  laboring  day  and  night, 
in  the  revival  —  "so  mightily  grew  the  word  of  God  and 
prevailed  "  —  compliance  seemed  the  only  alternative. 
Mr,  Ewing  soon  found  himself  fully  employed.  On  these 
occasions  he  would  sing,  pray,  read  and  occasionally  add 
a  few  words  of  exhortation.  But  it  often  happened  that 
his  few  words,  in  his  burning  zeal  for  the  honor  of  God 
and    the    salvation    of    men,    were,   unpremeditatedly. 


58  CALL   TO    THE   MINISTRY. 

extended  to  an  address  —  or  as  his  hearers  were  wont  to 
say —  "  a  discourse,  containing  the  most  powerful  argu- 
ments and  pathetie  appeals  in  behalf  of  truth  and  holi- 
ness. "  He  was  soon  found  to  possess  talents,  hitherto 
unknown  to  others  and  perhaps  unsuspected  by  himself. 
It  would  be  very  interesting  to  trace  the  exercises  of 
such  a  man's  mind,  while  under  impressions  to  preach 
the  gospeL  ^'  A  call  to  the  ministry  " —  the  heart  of  a 
man  being  moved  to  the  work  by  the  Holy  Ghost  —  is 
always  a  subject  of  special  interest  to  the  pious.  With 
pleasing,  jet  mournful,  solicitude,  do  we  trace  the  pro- 
gress of  a  subject  of  the  divine  call,  while  on  the  one 
hand,  he  contemplates  the  forbidding  circumstances  of 
his  age,  mean  capacity,  fancied  deficiencies,  worldly 
affairs,  social  position,  family  connections,  the  intention 
of  friends  concerning  him  ;  and  on  the  other,  remembers 
Ood's  gracious  dealing  in  snatching  him  as  a  brand 
from  the  burning,  a  world  that  lieth  in  wickedness,  the 
value  of  deathless  souls,  the  boundlessness  of  the  Father's 
love,  the  all-sufficiency  of  Christ's  atonement,  the  free- 
ness  of  the  offers  of  salvation,  the  exceedingly  great  and 
(precious  promises,  and  the  Saviour's  great  commission  — 
^' Go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations" — while  he 
balances  in  his  mind  his  hopes  and  fears  as  each  by  turns 
preponderate,  encouraging  aJid  disheartening  occur- 
rences, prosperous  and  adverse  providences,  the  appro- 
bation of  the  righteous  and  disfavor  of  the  wicked,  the 
helps  of  the  church  and  hindrances  of  the  world,  many 
resolves  to  obey  and  almost  as  many  to  abandon  the 
jtresumptuous  thought,  the  direct  movings  of  the  Holy 


CALL  TO  THE  MINISTRY.  59 

Ghost  and  the  subtle  insinuations  of  the  grand  adver- 
sary, self-distrust,  yet  humble  reliance  on  divine  aid, 
until  grace  conquers  ;  resignation  prevails ;  and  yielding 
to  the  divine  will,  he  exclaims,  "  here  am  I ;  send  me." 

Mr.  Ewing  kept  no  diary  at  any  period  of  his  life. 
His  reluctance  to  refer  to  himself  or  his  own  exercises  of 
mind,  as  many  do  by  way  of  illustrating  or  enforcing 
principles,  has  already  been  noticed.  Had  he  left  in 
any  tangible  form  the  results  of  his  experience,  while 
being  moved  by  the  Spirit  to  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
the  church  might  have  been  edified  by  the  exercises  of 
a  remarkable  man  who  lived  in  extraordinary  times,  who 
entered  the  sacred  oflSce  under  the  most  trying  circum- 
stances, and  whose  labors  were  crowned  with  triumphant 
success.  The  workings  of  his  powerful  intellect  on  a 
subject  of  absorbing  interest  at  that  time,  and  of  the 
greatest  importance  always,  would  be  appreciated  by 
many  as  a  valuable  legacy. 

On  this  as  well  as  several  other  topics  of  great  interest 
to  his  biography,  diligent  inquiries  have  been  made,  but 
with  no  very  gratifying  success.  It  is  presumed  but 
little  of  a  specific  character  is  now  known ;  but  from  the 
recollections  of  surviving  brethren  and  of  his  venerable 
consort,  as  well  as  from  his  twenty-third  lecture  on  this 
subject,  to  be  found  in  the  volume  lately  pubUshed  by 
the  Board  of  Publication,  it  may  be  inferred  that  he  had 
obtained  a  deep  insight  of  the  exercises  of  men  truly 
"  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron." 

Rev.  Robert  Bell,  of  Pontotoc,  Miss.,  writes  as  follows : 
"  Having  had  no  conversation  with  Brother  Ewing  on 


60  CALL  TO  THE  MINISTRY. 

the  subject,  I  could  only  judge  of  his  internal  from  his 
external  exercises,  in  which  he  manifested  a  sincere  love 
to  Christ,  and  a  deep  sense  of  the  inestimable  worth  of 
souls,  by  his  solemn  exhortations  and  fervent  prayers 
that  they  might  believe  and  live.  He  was  remarkable 
for  the  clearness  and  originality  of  his  ideas  as  well  as 
his  forcible  and  appropriate  language.  He  preached 
the  truth  plainly,  intelligibly,  and  energetically  ;  and 
frequently  after  concluding  the  exercises  by  prayer,  I 
have  seen  him  pass  through  the  congregation,  singing 
and  praising  God.  Under  his  sermons  I  have  witnessed 
powerful  manifestations  of  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  comforting  believers,  and  convicting  and  con- 
verting sinners.  He  always  advocated  the  principle, 
that  no  one  could  be  qualified  to  preach  the  gospel, 
however  talented  and  learned,  unless  he  had  been  truly 
converted  and  called.  He  often  said  an  uncalled  min- 
ister was  a  curse  to  the  church." 

Rev.  Robert  Donnell,  of  Athens,  Ala.,  speaks  thus  : 
"  His  impressions  to  preach  were  strong,  even  while  the 
door  was  shut;  but  as  the  revival  of  1800  progressed, 
his  convictions  of  duty  continued  to  increase.  When 
the  door  was  opened  by  the  old  Transylvania  Presby- 
tery, he  made  known  his  call,  and  soon  afterwards  was 
received  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry,  together  with 
Alexander  Anderson  and  Samuel  King :  ^all  three  were 
afterwards  licensed  and  ordained.  A  holy  and  heavenly 
influence  generally  attended  his  ministry.  It  is  believed 
no  pious  person  ever  doubted  his  being  "  called  of  God 
as  was  Aaron.'' 


CALL  TO  THE  MINISTRY.  61 

Mrs.  Ewing  says,  "  His  impressions  appeared  to  be 
deep  and  powerful.  When  he  fii'st  became  convinced 
of  his  call  to  the  ministry,  his  deportment  was  marked 
by  dejection  of  spirits,  and  at  times  by  uncommon 
solemnity.  He  saw  that  he  could  not  now  execute 
what  he  had  designed  for  his  family,  his  farm,  and 
servants.  Besides,  the  office  of  a  minister  appeared 
so  full  of  responsibility,  he  said,  he  felt  to  shrink  from 
it  with  dismay.  He  afterwards  became  more  composed 
and  reconciled  to  the  undertaking.  After  he  and 
others  became  licensed  exhorters,  and  some  difficulties 
occurred  in  the  Presbytery  on  that  account,  in  view  of 
the  destitutions  of  the  church,  the  wants  of  the  people, 
and  the  pressing  calls  for  his  services,  he  said,  if 
forbidden  to  labor  for  God  and  for  souls,  he  actually 
feared  he  would  go  beside  himself.  The  alternative 
appeared  to  him  to  be,  either  to  do  his  duty  or  be 
deprived  of  his  senses.  Through  his  whole  life  he  was 
very  unhappy  whenever  family  afflictions  or  other  causes 
detained  him  at  home,  and  prevented  him  from  dis- 
charging his  ministerial  duties." 

The  true  minister  of  Christ  will  find  in  these  few 
hints  something  in  which  he  can  sympathize,  and  may 
recognize  "  a  necessity  laid  upon  "  the  subject  of  them 
similar  to  his  who  said,  "  Woe  is  unto  me,  if  I  preach 
not  the  gospel."*  When  first  under  these  impressions 
Mr.  Ewing  must  have  been  in  his  twenty-seventh  year, 
or  older:  the  precise  time  has  not  been  ascertained. 
He  had  an  increasing  family  to  provide  for,  a  con- 

*  1  Cor.  is,  16. 


62  CALL    TO    THE   MINISTRY. 

siderable  farm,  and  a  number  of  servants  requiring  his 
attention.  His  position  in  society  was  second  to  none, 
surrounded  as  he  was  by  a  large  circle  of  attached 
friends,  affectionate  relatives,  and  admiring  neighbors, 
some  of  whom  regarded  him  as  the  instrument  of  their 
conversion. 

By  the  recommendation  of  Rev.  David  Rice,  D.  D., 
he  and  three  others  were  authorized  to  itinerate  among 
the  churches,  as  Ucensed  exhorters.  The  people  gene- 
rally, and  with  respect  to  the  favorers  of  the  revival  it 
may  be  said  universally,  recognized  in  his  instructions 
the  voice  of  a  shepherd.  All  the  churches  which  he 
visited  acknowledged  the  importance  of  his  services  by 
more  or  less  accessions.  New  converts  were  multiplied; 
and  his  pastor,  other  members  of  the  Presbytery,  and 
all  who  had  witnessed  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  regarding 
him  as  one  "  wise  to  win  souls,"  had  no  difficulty  in 
recommending  him  to  Presbytery  for  licensure. 

But  Dr.  Craighead,  Rev.  James  Balch,  and  all  the 
opposers  of  the  revival  who  now  followed  their  lead  and 
guidance,  although  they  were  compelled  to  acknowledge, 
however  reluctantly,  the  young  gentleman's  talents, 
intelligence,  piety,  zeal,  success,  and  promise  of  future 
usefulness,  thought  his  licensure  or  even  his  reception 
as  a  candidate  would  be  premature.  They  argued  with 
some  truth,  that  he  had  not  quite  completed  all  the 
branches  required  by  the  book  of  discipline.  It  was 
said  in  reply,  that  his  knowledge  of  most  of  the  branches 
was  respectable,  and  his  knowledge  of  divinity  and  the 
scriptures   truly    remarkable,  for  one   of  his  age  and 


CALL   TO   THE   MINISTRY.  63 

opportunities ;  that  he  had  evinced  a  peculiar  aptness 
to  teach,  and  his  labors  had  already  been  crowned  with 
abundant  success  ;  that  in  the  existing  state  of  the 
churches  and  the  country,  his  services  were  indispensa;- 
ble  ;  and,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  ministerial  supplies, 
he  could  not  be  spared  from  the  gracious  work  then  in 
progress.  It  was  added  also,  that  his  was  an  extraor- 
dinary case,  coming  within  the  exception  of  the  book 
of  discipline.  The  one  party  strongly  insisted  —  the 
other  as  strenuously  objecting  —  that  he  should  abandon 
all  further  attempts  publicly  to  instinict  the  people  or 
conduct  meetings  in  the  churches,  until  he  had  com- 
pleted those  branches  of  literature  required  by  discipline, 
and  with  which  he  was  supposed  to  be  unacquainted. 

Mr.  Ewing  appreciated  learning  as  highly  as  any 
other  man,  as  his  whole  life  proves  and  these  pages  will 
show.  But  there  was  not  within  many  miles  of  him, 
at  the  time,  a  college  or  seminary  where  he  could  obtain 
a  knowledge  of  the  branches  required ;  besides  his 
whole  soul  was  enlisted  in  tke  revival ;  and  he  could  not, 
he  dared  not  leave  his  friends,  relatives,  and  neighbors, 
to  perish  in  their  sins,  many  of  whom  had  manifested 
tenderness  of  feeling  and  concern  for  their  souls.  Must 
he  take  up  his  abode  within  the  walls  of  some  distant 
seminary,  leaving  behind  all  home  interests  and  connec- 
tions, the  churches  loudly  calling  for  his  labors,  the 
new  neighborhoods,  where  a  religious  interest  had  been 
awakened  through  his  instrumentality,  the  families  who 
looked  to  him  for  counsel  and  instruction,  and  the  many 
individual  friends  and  acquaintances,  whom  he  had  long 


b*4  CALL  TO   THE  MINISTRY. 

knoM'n  as  hardened  and  impenitent,  but  now  saw  sub- 
dued, trembling  and  inquiring,  "  what  must  I  do  to  be 
saved  ?  "  In  short,  must  he,  for  the  sake  of  a  httle 
more  accurate  knowledge  of  certain  branches  of  human 
learning,  abandon  the  glorious  work  of  God,  Avhich  was 
extending  far  and  wide  in  all  directions  —  a  work  with 
regard  to  which  the  ministers  of  the  same  Presbytery 
were  about  equally  divided  in  sentiment  —  which  one 
party  was  cherishing  and  laboring  to  promote,  the 
other  opposing  and  striving  to  destroy  ?  No  :  he  could 
have  left  his  worldly  interests,  had  done  so,  and  was 
still  prepared  to  do  so,  at  the  call  of  duty  ;  but  he  could 
not  abandon  a  cause  in  which  he  fully  believed,  the 
glory  of  God  and  the  salvation  of  souls  was  involved. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
BY  ORDER  OP  PRESBYTERY,  ENTERS  ON  A  CIRCUIT. 

The  great  Revival  —  First  Camp-Meeting  — Work  of  grace  extending— Petitions 
for  ministerial  aid  —  Laborers  few  —  Itinerant  Preacliing  — "  Circuit  "censured 
—  Diffidence  in  view  of  responsibilities  —  A  precious  promise  — Hutchinson's 
relation — Hungering  for  the  word  — A  traveler  arrives  —  Joy  —  He  is  the 
Preacher  —  Prayer  answered  —  Destitution  —  Preaching  on  Sabbath  —A  large 
Assembly  —  Solemnity  —  Appropriate  discourse  —  Results  —  Other  places  — 
Renewed  petitions. 

As  Elijah  on  Carmel's  top,  being  cast  down  upon  the 
earth,  with  his  face  between  his  knees,  earnestly  per- 
severed in  prayer  to  God,  for  the  blessing  of  rain  upon 
the  parched  earth  —  bidding  his  servant  "  go  again  seven 
times  "  to  watch  for  the  sign  of  a  gracious  answer  —  even 
so  Mr.  McGready  and  his  covenanted  band  continued 
their  concert  of  prayer,  at  the  morning  and  evening 
twilight,  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  in  Logan  county 
and  throughout  the  world.  In  1797,  "  there  arose  a 
little  cloud,  like  a  man's  hand,"  in  the  conversion  of  a 
female  member  of  his  church  —  who,  though  in  full 
communion,  had  never  before  experienced  a  change  of 
heart  —  and  the  awakening  of  sinners  at  the  delivery  of 
almost  every  sermon ;  again  in  1798  and  '99,  '.^  the 
heaven  was  black  with  clouds  and  wind,"  in  the  work 
of  grace  throughout  his  three  congregations ;  and  in 
1800,  there  was  a  great  rain,  in  a  revival  unparalleled 
on  the  American  continent. 


66  BY  ORDER  OF  PRESBYTERY, 

People  of  all  classes  and  from  all  quarters  flocked  to 
the  scene,  some  prompted  by  curiosity,  some  by  a  pro- 
pensity to  criticise,  ridicule,  or  condemn,  and  others 
doubtless  by  a  sincere  desire  to  be  spiritually  benefitted. 
But  whatever  might  be  their  motives,  many  became 
awakened ;  and  of  these,  some  returned  sorrowing  for 
sin,  others  rejoicing  in  hope.  The  introduction  of 
camp-meetings  afforded  facilities  for  the  entertainment 
of  the  people  which  otherwise  could  not  possibly  have 
been  enjoyed.  At  this  time,  at  Gasper  river,  where 
this  great  awakening  first  commenced,  was  held  the  first 
of  this  kind  of  meetings,  which  have  been  adopted  in 
almost  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  by  different  denom- 
inations, and  in  some  parts  of  Europe. 

Persons  from  a  distance,  when  awakened  or  converted 
at  these  meetings,  in  every  stage  of  the  revival,  carried 
home  an  irrepressible  desire  for  enjoying  the  stated 
means  of  grace ;  and  soon  they  became  importunate 
in  their  petitions  that  ministers  should  be  sent  to  break 
to  them  the  bread  of  life.  But  all  the  ordained 
ministers  who  were  friendly  to  the  revival,  together 
with  the  licensed  exhorters,  could  not,  by  constant 
traveling  and  preaching  day  and  night,  supply  one- 
third  of  the  calls  made  for  their  labors.  While  the 
glorious  work  was  extending  in  all  directions,  the 
demand  for  ministerial  labors  was  rapidly  outrunning 
the  supply.  Certain  persons  in  Montgomery,  Dickson, 
Robertson,  Davidson,  and  other  counties  in  Tennessee, 
had  regularly  sent  up  their  petitions  at  every  meet- 
ing of  the  Transylvania  Presbytery,  since  the  work 


E>rrERS  ON  A  cnicurr.  67 

-commenced.  The  people  of  a  newly  settled  neighbor 
hood  in  the  upper  part  of  Montgomery,  in  particular, 
had  made  unceasing  efforts  to  obtain  the  labors  of  a 
minister,  at  least  for  a  part  of  his  time. 

Surely,  if  in  any  part  of  the  world,  it  was  ever 
necessary  for  religious  teachers  to  itinerate,  it  was  so 
in  this  region  at  the  time  specified.  And  if  ever  a 
church  judicature  was  justifiable  in  sending  forth  good 
men,  more  or  less  deficient  in  classical  learning,  to 
instruct  the  people  in  righteousness,  the  Transylvania 
Presbytery  needs  no  defence.  When  "  the  grace  of 
God  was  bestowed  upon  the  churches,"  his  own  people 
were  hungering  and  thirsting  after  righteousness,  the 
unconverted  "  were  groaning  for  redemption  in  the 
blood  of  the  Lamb,"  and  the  feeble  flock  scattered 
through  the  wilderness,  were  without  a  shepherd's  care; 
it  would  seem  that  no  friend  of  God  and  humanity 
would  forbid  men  of  acknowledged  intelUgence,  strong 
minds,  warm  hearts,  pious  lives,  and  already  distin- 
guished for  their  zeal  and  usefulness  in  the  revival,  to 
travel  through  certain  prescribed  districts,  breaking  the 
bread  of  life  to  the  perishing.  But  strange  as  it  may- 
appear,  when  Mr.  Ewing,  previously  licensed  to  catechize 
and  exhort  by  the  Transylvania  Presbytery,  was  sent 
forth  to  the  above  named  counties  in  Tennessee,  and 
laid  off  a  four  week's  circuit,  the  opposing  ministers 
became  loud  in  their  censures.  Continuing  to  labor 
with  very  great  success  for  several  years  on  this  circuit, 
and  on  that  account,  the  scene  of  his  labors  having 
become  familiarly  known,  ''■the  phrase,  Finis  Ewing^s 


68  BY   ORDER    OF    PRESBYTERY, 

circuit "  happened  to  be  admitted  into  the  minutes  of 
Cumberland  Presbytery,  and  the  committee  of  Ken- 
tucky Synod  reported  this  as  one  evidence  that  "  the 
mode  of  transacting  business  frequently  violates  our 
rules  of  discipline." 

What  else  did  our  Lord  when  he  went  about  doing 
good  ?  and  his  Apostles,  when  they  traveled  from  place 
to  place,  preaching  the  gospel?  The  Synod  did  not 
anticipate  the  agencies  of  the  various  benevolent  socie- 
ties, nor  the  happy  results  of  the  Home  Missionary 
Society,  nor  did  she  foresee  her  Own  operations  in  later 
times,  when  her  own  missionaries  would  be  sent  forth  to 
do  the  very  thing  which  was  then  thought  a  violation  of 
her  rules  of  discipline.  The  committee  of  Synod  who 
reported  "  the  phrase,  Finis  Swing's  circuit,"  as  worthy 
of  censure,  had  they  lived  till  now,  might  have  learned 
that  a  Presbytery  violates  no  rules  of  discipline  by 
Bending  missionaries  to  the  destitute.  But  "circuit" 
may  have  seemed  then,  as  it  doubtless  would  now  to 
some  persons,  to  be  a  borrowed  term,  and  consequently,, 
uncanonical.    Words,  with  some,  seem  to  outweigh  ideas. 

We  may  imagine  the  feelings  and  reflections  of  Mr. 
Ewing,  on  receiving  this  appointment.  Hitherto  he  had 
much  enjoyed  the  comforts  of  home,  the  delights  of  the 
family  circle,  the  sympathy  of  Christian  friends,  and  the 
counsel  of  experienced  ministers.  His  labors  had  been 
principally  confined  to  those  congregations  and  neigh- 
borhoods where  the  revival  had  already  entered,  his 
position  and  character  well  known,  his  usefulness  duly 
appreciated  ;  and  whenever  attacks  bad  been  made  an 


ENTERS    ON    A    CIRCUIT.  69 

the  good  cause,  b}^  bigots,  errorlsts  or  infidels,  able 
champions  of  truth  and  holiness  were  at  hand  to  repel 
them.  But  wovf  all  these  blessings  and  encouragements 
were  to  be  forsaken.  He  was  to  lay  off  a  circuit  of  four 
weeks,  within  a  district,  a  large  portion  of  which  had 
scarcely  been  redeemed  from  its  wilderness  state,  the 
savages  having  but  recently  left  it,  and  still  in  a  friendly 
manner  passing  and  re-passing  through  it.  He  was  to 
proclaim  a  Saviour's  dying  love  to  utter  strangers,  not 
knowing  how  his  message  would  be  received  or  himself 
treated.  And  it  afforded  him  no  very  high  satisfaction 
that  his  field  of  labor  covered  that  part  of  Davidson 
county  which  had  been  the  scene  of  his  early  associa- 
tions :  though  he  expected  to  find  many  friends  and 
companions  of  his  early  youth,  he  had  reason  to  appre- 
hend much  opposition  from  his  former  pastor,  who  still 
retained  a  moiety  of  his  waning  influence. 

The  business  of  itinerant  preaching  had  been  but  little 
practiced  by  his  denomination,  before  the  revival  com- 
menced ;  his  was  probably  the  first  regular  circuit,  with 
appointments  for  preaching  once,  twice,  or  three  times 
evei-y  day,  which  had  ever  been  organized  in  the  county 
by  a  Presbyterian.  The  dense  forests  tangled  with  under- 
growth, the  almost  impassable  roads,  indicated  by  marked 
trees,  the  unfordable  streams  with  miry  banks,  the  log 
cabins  with  dirt  floors,  the  strawbeds  with  puncheon 
pillows,  the  coarse  fare  of  jerked  venison  and  com  bread, 
and  the  uncouth  manners  of  the  honest  settlers,  did  not 
disturb  him  so  much  as  his  sense  of  the  responsibilities 
of  the  undertaking,  his  insufficiencv  for  its  duties  and 


TO  BY  ORDER  OF  PRESBYTERY, 

the  danger,  lest  by  incompetency  or  oversight,  he  should 
bring  peril  upon  souls  or  reproach  on  the  cause  he  loved. 
When  his  field  of  labor  was  made  known  to  him,  and  his 
plan  of  operations  began  to  be  considered,  he  appeared 
not  like  one  on  whom  had  been  conferred  an  important 
office,  but  like  one  who  had  been  subjected  to  an  insup- 
portable burden.  It  is  said,  he  passed  a  sleepless,  a 
prayerful  night,  but  arose  in  the  morning,  rejoicing 
exceedingly  in  the  ever  blessed  promise — "  I  am  with 
you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world."  * 

James  Hutchinson,  Esq. ,  of  Montgomery  county,  Tenn., 
well  known  and  highly  respected  as  an  excellent  citizen, 
Christian,  magistrate,  lecturer  on  temperance,  and  pro- 
moter of  every  good  work,  has  furnished  much  informa- 
tion respecting  Mr.  Ewing's  labors  and  the  revival  which 
followed,  particularly  the  organization  of  the  church  of 
which  he  became  an  elder.  This  gentleman  has  departed 
this  life  ;  but  the  writer  visited  him  a  few  years  ago, 
received  from  his  lips  and  penned  in  his  presence,  the 
facts  about  to  be  related.  And  as  those  who  Avere 
intimately  acquainted  with  Mr.  Hutchinson,  have  ad- 
mired his  warmth  of  manner,  artlessness  of  expression, 
and  aptness  of  description,  his  characteristic  style  will 
be  preserved,  as  far  as  may  be  consistent  with  brevity 
and  accuracy.    His  narration  is  substantially  as  follows : 

We  emigrated  from  Virginia  in  1796,  and  settled 
where  we  now  live,  in  1797.  Both  my  Sarah  and  I 
had  been  religiously  raised  and  accustomed  to  read  our 
Bible.     Away    from  all  our  friends,  and  in  this  then 

*  Matt,  xxviii,  20. 


ENTERS  ON  A  CIRCUIT.  <  1 

solitary  place,  we  felt  that  we  needed  an  almighty 
Protector.  We  sought  the  one  thing  needful  as  for 
goodly  pearls.  In  1800,  we  trust  we  both  embraced 
that  holy  religion  which  has  been  our  guide  and  comfort 
up  to  the  present  hour.  The  country  was  filling  up 
rapidly  ;  but  there  was  no  one  to  break  to  us  the  bread 
of  life.  0,  how  we  did  long  to  hear  the  blessed  gospel 
preached !  We  joined  with  David  Beaty  and  Henry 
Anderson  in  a  petition,  prajing  the  Transylvania  Pres- 
bytery to  send  us  a  preacher.  We  were  rejoicing  in 
hope,  but  hungering  for  the  word  of  God.  We  were 
Presbyterians,  so  far  as  we  understood  ourselves,  and 
wanted  to  cast  our  lot  with  that  people  among  whom 
God  was  carrying  on  his  glorious  work.  The  field  was 
wide,  the  harvest  plenteous,  and  the  laborers  few:  a 
preacher  could  not  come  to  us.  We  wept,  we  mourned, 
we  prayed  :  but  we  could  take  no  denial.  We  petitioned 
again  without  success.  iStill  we  believed  God  would 
hear  and  help  us.  We  could  not  be  discouraged,  seeing 
that  God  could,  in  answer  to  our  prayers,  incline  the 
Presbyters  to  favorus,  if  only  a  little.  No  mortal  man 
can  conceive  our  anxieties,  unless  he  has  been  placed  in 
a  like  situation.  We  could  hear  of  other  places  within 
ten,  twenty,  and  thirty  miles,  where  the  people,  like  us, 
were  petitioning  for  a  preacher :  some  of  them  had 
attended  the  great  meetings  in  Kentucky,  or  higher  up 
in  Tennessee,  and  returned  glorifying  God.  We  asked, 
would  not  a  God  of  love  take  care  of  his  own  cause, 
and  feed  his  own  flock,  however  feeble,  few,  or  scattered 
abroad  ?     We  called  to  mind  his  precious  promises,  and 


72  BY    ORDER    OF    PRESBYTERY, 

said,  he  surely  will.  He  is  a  God  of  truth,  a  righteous 
Sovereign,  and  has  all  power.  With  this  we  were 
comforted,  and  began  confidently  to  look  forward  to  the 
blessed  day,  when  we  should  hear  the  gospel's  joyful 
sound. 

There  are  two  periods  of  my  life  which  I  never  can 
forget,  while  I  remember  any  thing :  one  is,  when  I 
found  the  Lord  precious  ;  the  other  is,  when  in  answer 
to  all  our  prayers,  he  sent  his  faithful  servant  to  minister 
to  our  spiritual  necessities.  I  often  call  to  mind,  as  if 
it  were  but  yesterday,  the  evening  when  a  traveler  as 
I  supposed,  an  entire  stranger,  rode  up  to  my  log  cabin. 
This  house  built  of  rock,  was  not  here  then.  His  eyes 
were  red  with  weeping  ;  and  the  tears  seemed  scarcely 
dried  on  his  cheeks.  He  inquired  for  James  Hutch- 
inson. On  being  informed  that  I  was  the  man,  he 
seemed  overjoyed.  He  said,  "  I  have  so  long  traveled 
this  Indian  path  without  seeing  a  house,  that  I  seriously 
feared  it  would  be  my  lot  to  lie  out  this  night,  and  take 
my  chance  with  the  wolves.  I  have  cried  and  prayed 
to  the  Lord,  as  my  helper ;  and  now  after  sunset,  faint, 
weary,  and  disconsolate,  he  has  brought  me  to  this 
hospitable  home." 

I  was  filled  with  surprise  and  joy.  I  saw  he  was  a 
man  of  genteel  appearance,  prepossessing  manners  ;  and 
better  still,  his  language  savored  of  grace  and  piety. 
I  had  seen  but  few  religious  persons  since  I  professed ; 
and  I  greatly  rejoiced,  that  a  pious  traveler  had  done 
me  the  favor  to  call  and  spend  a  night  with  me  at  my 
cabin  in  this  wilderness.     A  little  further  conversation 


ENTERS    ON    A    CIRCUIT.  73 

convinced  me,  that  the  supposed  traveler  was  indeed  a 
verj  pious  man.  He  soon  took  occasion  to  let  me 
know  his  business  in  these  parts,  and  that  his  name  was 
Finis  Ewing.  AVe  had  heard  of  him.  I  saw  at  once 
that  he  was  the  young  preacher,  sent  by  Transylvania 
Presbytery  to  instruct  us  in  righteousness,  and  feed 
spiritually  the  few  poor  sheep,  straying  in  the  wilderness 
without  a  shepherd.  Sarah!  Sarah!  I  called.  She 
was  out,  preparing  supper.  Stepping  tD  the  door,  I 
said,  the  preacher  has  come  !  Sarah  came  in,  shouting ; 
while  I  was  crying  for  joy.  God  had  answered  our 
prayers,  and  sent  us  a  preacher ! 

When  we  had  become  a  little  composed,  Mr.  Ewing 
modestly  observed,  "  Do  not  mistake  me,  my  friends : 
I  am  not  a  preacher,  but  have  been  sent  in  the  place 
of  one.  I  am  authorized  publicly  to  exhort,  expound 
the  scriptures,  and,  according  to  my  ability,  give  all 
needful  instructions,  without  the  formalities  of  a  sermon." 
We  cared  but  little  for  the  formalities  of  a  sermon. 
Instruction  was  what  we  wanted.  Being  mere  babes 
in  Christ,  we  wanted  some  one  to  expound  unto  us  the 
way  of  God  more  perfectly.  And  the  more  we  con- 
versed with  this  good  man,  the  more  we  admired  his 
spirit  of  humility,  strength  of  mind,  and  knowledge  of 
divine  things.  We  were  soon  convinced  that  he  had 
grace  and  gifts  to  be  all  to  us,  and  do  every  thing  for 
us  that  a  regular  preacher  could. 

We  had  long  felt  that  we  were  in  the  midst  of  a 
people  who  were  living  without  hope  and  without  God 
i:i  the  world,  actually  perishing  for  the  lack  of  know- 
7 


74  BY    ORDER   OF   PRESBYTERY, 

ledge.  Without  the  gospel,  without  schools,  and  almost 
without  a  Sabbath,  we  shuddered  at  the  thought  of 
raising  our  children  in  such  a  state  of  society.  The 
new  comers  were  honest,  industrious,  and  friendly ;  but 
most  of  them  seemed  as  little  regardful  of  religion  and 
its  duties  as  the  heathen.  We  needed  schools  for  the 
young,  and  the  gospel  for  all.  Hence  we  had  petitioned 
Presbytery  and  prayed  to  God.  Our  prayers  were  now 
answered.  We  felt  we  never  could  be  grateful  enough 
to  our  heavenly  Father,  nor  do  enough  for  this  his 
servant,  who  had  left  friends,  family,,  and  home,  to  show 
unto  us  the  way  of  salvation. 

Mr.  Ewing  arrived  on  Thursday  night.  I  mounted 
my  horse  on  Friday  morning,  and  spent  nearly  two  days 
in  giving  circulation  to  an  appointment  for  meeting,  on 
the  ensuing  Sabbath,  at  the  house  of  David  Beaty» 
I  rode  through  the  settlements  on  Cumberland  and 
Red  rivers,  and  the  region  about  Clarkesville.  Others 
also  exerted  themselves  to  good  effect.  Saints  and 
sinners  appeared  to  take  great  interest,  since  preaching, 
especially  by  a  Presbyterian,  was  a  novel  occurrence. 
Many  persons  had  never  attended  meeting,  or  heard  a 
sermon,  since  they  came  to  the  country. 

On  arriving  at  the  place  of  meeting,  Mr.  Ewing  was 
astonished  at  the  size  of  his  congregation.  He  could  not 
imagine  from  whence  so  many  people  could  assemble  in 
this  new  country.  On  coming  to  the  settlement,  he  had 
traveled  for  a  considerable  distance  along  the  old  Indian 
trail,  and  supposed  the  country  nearly  destitute  of  white 
inhabitants.  In  this  he  was  mistaken.    Besides,  the  people 


ENTERS    ON    A    CIIICUIT.  75 

had  heard  of  the  great  work  which  had  commenced  in 
Logan  county,  and  was  extending  all  over  the  country. 
Some  had  witnessed  more  or  less  of  its  effects.  Their 
curiosity  was  excited,  when  they  learned  that  one  of 
those  Avho  had  turned  the  world  upside  down,  had  come 
hither  also.  Some  were  impressed  with  the  necessity  of 
religion,  and  ardently  desired  to  hear  the  words  of  eter- 
nal life.  Some  only  cared  to  hear  what  this  babbler 
would  say.  Several  gentlemen  of  wealth  and  intelligence 
were  present,  who  were  known  to  be  infidels.  There 
were  many  others  who,  whatever  might  be  their  senti- 
ments, were  by  no  means  friendly  to  religion.  The  truth 
is,  nearly  all  seemed  eager  in  the  pursuit  of  wealth. 
But  the  people  of  all  ages,  classes,  and  of  both  sexes,  for 
many  miles  around,  who  could  get  to  the  place,  were 
there.  No  circumstance  or  event  had  ever  before  called 
together  so  large  an  assemblage. 

A  stand  for  the  speaker  had  been  placed  in  the  piazza 
which,  with  the  house  and  a  large  space  in  front,  were 
full  of  people.  Mr.  Ewing  retired  for  a  short  time,  as  I 
afterwards  learned  was  his  invariable  custom,  to  wrestle 
in  prayer  for  divine  aid.  He  entered  the  stand  with 
that  solemnity  and  awe  which  seemed  at  once  to  disarm 
prejudice  and  destroy  indifference.  He  seemed  impressed 
with  a  deep  sense  of  his  responsibility  and  the  value  of 
the  souls,  for  whose  salvation  he  was  now  about  to  make 
his  first  effort.  Whatever  his  learning,  talents,  or  the 
character  of  his  discourse  might,  prove  to  be,  all  must 
have  been  convinced  he  was  a  man  of  God. 

His  subject  was  well  chosen  and  ingeniously  treated. 


76  BY    ORDER    OF   PRESBYTERY, 

Indeed  it  did  appear  that  no  discourse  could  have  been 
better  adapted  to  the  state  and  wants  of  his  hearers.  It 
was  truly  encouraging  and  comforting  to  the  hearts  of 
the  few  Christians,  but  terribly  alarming  to  the  consciences 
of  the  unconverted.  It  left  no  ground  for  the  infidel  to 
stand  on.  It  showed  the  inseparable  connection  between 
sin  and  misery,  holiness  and  happiness  ;  the  suitableness 
of  the  gospel  to  man's  fallen  condition  ;  the  extreme  folly, 
vile  ingratitude,  and  abominable  wickedness  of  those  who 
rejected  the  offers  of  mercy  ;  and  concluded  with  a  very 
appropriate  application  and  affectionate  appeal,  calculated 
to  subdue  the  proudest  spirits  and  humble  the  stoutest 
hearts.  Solemnity  was  depicted  on  every  countenance 
in  the  congregation.  Many  eyes  were  filled  with  tears. 
Many  who  had  come  to  laugh,  retui-ned  weeping.  Many 
who  had  been  prompted  by  a  vain  curiosity,  were 
awakened  to  an  interest  in  the  gospel  of  their  salvation. 
Abundant  evidence  has  since  been  given  that  several 
stubborn  sinners  were  for  the  first  time  seriously  alarmed, 
and  a  few  confirmed  infidels  awfully  shaken,  by  that 
discourse.  From  appearances  I  then  believed  it ;  but 
now  I  know  it.  I  thought,  I  saw  undoubted  evidence 
that  God  was  about  to  revive  his  work  among  us,  and 
cause  this  wilderness  and  solitary  place  to  bud  and  blos- 
som as  the  rose.  I  thank  God,  that  I  have  since  wit- 
nessed it. 

I  and  several  others  accompanied  Mr.  Ewing  to  some 
other  places,  where  he  held  meetings  and  proposed  to 
continue  stated  appointments.  The  same  interest  was 
manifested,  and  similar  results  realized.    And  from  what 


ENTERS    ON   A    CIRCUIT.  77 

I  then  heard  and  all  I  have  since  learned,  I  am  satisfied 
that  the  meeting  I  have  described,  is  but  a  specimen  of 
the  meetings  in  general  throughout  the  district.  Some 
were  much  more  favorable  in  their  effects.  It  was  hoAv- 
ever  the  time  of  seed-sowing  ;  the  time  of  reaping  had 
not  yet  come.  And  though  there  were  many  awaken- 
ings and  some  conversions,  this  season,  there  were  not 
those  wonderful  displays  of  divine  power  and  grace 
which  afterwards  attended  the  preaching  of  the  same 
minister.  Still  a  preparatory  work  was  evidently  in 
progress;  prejudice  was  broken  down,  infidelity  was 
abashed,  irreligion  was  hiding  its  head,  erroneous  opin- 
ions and  practices  abandoned ;  while  the  establishment 
of  schools  and  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath  were  topics 
of  interest,  and  improvements  now  demanded  throughout 
the  community.  Had  the  labors  of  Mr.  ENving  never 
accompHshed  any  thing  in  these  counties,  beyond  the 
results  of  this  season,  his  name  Avould  have  lived  and  his 
memory  have  been  cherished  by  many  grateful  hearts. 

Several  congregations  in  this  district  which  had  been 
collected  by  Mr.  Ewing,  but  not  yet  duly  organized, 
sent  a  petition  to  the  Presbytery,  prajing  that  he  might 
be  ordained,  permitted  to  return,  and  serve  them  as 
their  minister. 


CHAPTER  YII. 

REJECTION,  ITS  CAUSE  AND  CONSEQUENCES. 

Dr.  Rice's  recommendation  —  Smith's  account — Kice's  report — Rejection  — 
Dissatisfaction  —  Comparisons  —  Believers  mourn  —  Krrorists  rejoice  —  A  man 
of  blood  —  Contest  in  defence  of  a  Brother — Is  victorious  —  Unclerical  but 
justifiable —  Petitions  granted  —  Licensure. 

In  the  two  last  chapters,  Mr.  Ewlng's  personal  history 
was  carried  forward  to  the  time  of  his  licensure,  unblended 
with  the  proceedings  of  Presbytery,  except  by  some 
slight  allusions ;  in  order  that  his  preparations  for 
usefulness  and  connection  Avith  the  revival  might  appear 
in  due  sequence,  it  is  necessary  now  to  review  part 
of  this  period  of  his  life  in  connection  with  the  cir- 
cumstances and  events  which,  besides  those  already 
noticed,  for  a  time  obstructed  his  entrance  into  the 
ministry. 

Allusion  has  already  been  made  to  the  recommenda- 
tion of  Dr.  Rice.  Smith's  History  of  the  Christian 
Church,  narrating  the  events  of  the  great  revival,  gives 
the  following  account  of  the  matter.* 

"  But  the  field  soon  became  so  extensive,  that  it  was 
impossible  for  these  men  to  supply  one-third  of  their 
congregations  with  the  means  of  grace.     While  they 

*  Pp.  550,  581,  and  5S2. 


REJECTION,  ITS  CAUSE,  ETC.  79 

•were  in  this  condition,  tiie  Rev.  David  Rice,  at  that  time 
the  most  aged  Presbyterian  minister  in  Kentucky,  who 
was  then  a  member  of  the  same  Presbytery  with  them- 
selves, though  not  a  resident  of  the  county  in  Avhieh  the 
revival  prevailed,  attended  a  sacramental  meeting  with 
the  revival  ministers  in  one  of  the  vacant  congregations ; 
and  being  informed  of  the  destitute  state  of  most  of 
the  churches,  and  the  pressing  demands  for  the  means 
-of  grace,  earnestly  recommended  that  th^y  should  choose 
from  among  the  laity,  some  men  who  appeared  to  possess 
■talerits  and  a  disposition  to  exercise  their  gifts  pub- 
licly, to  preach  the  gospel,  although  they  might  not  have 
-acquired  that  degree  of  education  required  by  the  book 
of  discipline, 

"  This  proposition  was  cordially  approved  of  by  both 
preachers  and  people,  who  could  discover  no  means  of 
being  supplied  with  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  unless 
they  applied  for  the  ministrations  of  those  who  belonged 
"to  other  denominations.  What  still  more  clearly  con- 
vinced them  of  the  propriety  of  this  measure  was,  that 
in  almost  every  congregation  that  had  been  blessed  with 
the  outpourings  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  there  were  one  or 
more  intelligent  and  spiritual  men,  whose  gifts  in  exhor- 
iation  had  already  been  honored  by  the  Head  of  the 
Church  in  awakening,  and  converting  precious  souls. 
Accordingly  three  *  zealous,  intelligent,  and  influential 
members  of  the  church,  viz :  Alexander  Anderson, 
Finis  Ewing,  and  Samuel  King,  were  encouraged  by 

•Dr.   Davidfon,  in  hJs  history  of  the  Church,  eayn  fcur,  and  adds  the  nain«  of 
;Sfphraun  McL«an,  iropropcrly  spelled  McClain. 


80  REJECTION,    ITS    CAUSE 

the  revival  ministers  to  prepare  written  discourses,  and 
to  present  themselves  before  the  Transylvania  Presby 
tery  at  its  session  in  October,  1801.  All  these  persons- 
had  previously  been  under  serious  impressions  that  it 
■was  their  duty  to  devote  themselves  to  the  ministry  ; 
but  as  they  had  not  enjoyed  the  advantage  of  a  colle- 
giate education^  and  were  men  of  families,  and  somewhat 
advanced  in  life,  they  had  been  laboring  under  difficul- 
ties on  account  of  their  not  possessing  the  literary 
attainments  required  by  the  discipline  of  the  church, 
and  which,  circumstanced  as  they  were,  it  was  utterly- 
impossible  to  obtain." 

"  At  the  meeting  of  the  Transylvania  Presbytery  in 
October,  1801,  the  case  of  these  brethren  was  brought 
before  that  body,  from  some  of  whom  they  met  with 
warm  opposition.  However,  after  a  pi-otracted  discus- 
sion, it  was  agreed  by  the  majority  that  they  might  ba 
permitted  to  read  their  discourses  to  Mr.  Rice,  privately, 
who  reported  favorably.  They  were  not  at  that  time 
received  as  candidates  for  the  ministry,  but  were  licensed 
to  catechize  and  exhort  in  the  vacant  congregations,  and 
directed  to  prepare  other  discourses  to  be  read  at  the 
next  sessions  of  Presbytery,  at  which  Mr.  Anderson 
was  received  as  a  candidate,  by  a  majority  of  one  vote, 
the  others  by  a  majority  of  one  vote  were  not  received, 
but  continued  as  catechists.  In  the  fall  of  1802,  they 
were  all  licensed  as  probationers  for  the  holy  ministry, 
having  adopted  the  confession  of  faith  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  with  the  exception  of  the  idea  of 
fatalitv.   which  thev   believed    ^\:ii*  taugiit  in  that  hook 


AND    CONSEQUENCES.  81 

under  the  high  and  mysterious  doctrine  of  election  and 
reprobation." 

When  it  became  generally  known,  that  these  young 
men  had  not  been  received  by  Presbytery,  as  candidates 
for  the  ministry,  the  public  who  had  witnessed  and 
approved  their  taboi*s,  expressed  great  surprise.  The 
people  of  diflferent  congregations  and  neighborhoods, 
who  had  been  blessed  by  their  labors,  and  loved  them 
for  their  work's  sake,  could  scarcely  restrain  their 
indignation.  Some  individuals,  both  in  and  out  of  the 
church,  were  not  sparing  of  censure.  It  was  inquired, 
[cannot  God  call  in  the  Presbyterian,  as  well  as  other 
churches,  men  who  have  not  been  educated  at  College  ? 
Cannot  Presbyterians,  if  truly  converted  and  called, 
preach  as  well,  and  be  blessed  as  abundantly  as  others  ? 
.'Are  not  these  young  men  even  now  more  efficient  in 
their  labors,  more  instructive  in  their  discourses,  and 
more  blessed  in  their  ministrations  with  the  influences 
of  the  Spirit,  than  those  by  whose  votes  they  have  been 
rejected  ?  '  Do  not  their  appointments  call  out  over- 
flowing congregations,  while  but  few  care  to  listen  to 
the  cold-hearted  and  drowsy-headed,  sapless  sermons 
of  their  opposers.  While  these  exhorters  declare,  in 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power,  the  simple 
truths  of  the  gospel,  when  have  we  heard  these  blessed 
doctrines  explained  and  urged  by  some  old  preachers 
who  claim  to  be  very  wise  and  thoroughly  learned  ? 
While,  through  the  instrumentality  of  our  young  friends, 
many  have  professed  to  embrace  Christ  as  he  is  offered 
in  the  gospel,    who   has   ever   heard   of  a  single   soul 


82  REJECTION,    ITS    CAUSB 

convicted  or  converted  through  the  histrumentality  of 
Craighead,  Balch,  or  their  party  ? 

This  was  rather  a  home-thrust,  and  probably  too 
severe,  against  some  of  the  anti-revivahsts.  The  refusal 
to  license  these  men  occasioned  comparisons  to  be  made 
and  sentiments  expressed,  which  otherwise  might  have 
been  withheld.  Particularly  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Ewing, 
was  the  course  of  the  majority  seriously  regretted  and 
severely  censured.  Few  were  willing  to  believe,  that 
lie  was  so  deficient  in  education  as  to  justify  the  conduct 
of  the  majority.  Smith,  the  historian  before  referred 
to,  who  had  the  fullest  opportunities  of  knowing  the 
truth  of  his  statement,  testifies  in  a  note  appended  to 
his  work :  "  Mr.  Ewing  is  a  man  of  liberal  education, 
and  extensive  reading." 

However  the  friends  of  the  revival,  and  the  sober, 
reflecting  part  of  the  community,  might  disapprove, 
there  were  not  wanting  infidels,  errorists,  and  worldly- 
minded  men  to  applaud  the  course  of  the  majority :  so 
true  it  is  that  error  has  no  love  for  truth,  and  the  spirit 
of  the  world  is  at  enmity  against  the  spirit  of  Christ. 
It  was  even  said  by  some  that  this  enthusiasm  ought  to 
be  put  down,  and  these  young  men  not  allowed  to  travel 
through  the  country,  frightening  people  out  of  their  wits, 
and  alarming  old  and  young  with  unnecessary  fears. 
And  of  certain  old  members  of  the  church,  who  had 
exchanged  their  dead  formahty  for  a  living  faith  — 
abandoning  their  works  of  righteousness  for  the  grace 
of  God  which  bringeth  salvation  —  it  was  said,  they 
had  religion  enough  before,  as  much  as  any  man  ought 


AND    CONSEQUENCES.  83 

to  have,  or  decent  men  ought  to  want ;  and  to  alarm 
the  fears,  and  disturb  the  peace  of  such  persons,  was 
downright  wickedness. 

While  this  subject  was  under  discussion  in  the  com- 
munity, Mr.  Ewing  uttered  no  complaint.  He  continued 
his  humble  labors  as  if  nothing  unpleasant  had  happened, 
enjoying  the  confidence  and  love  of  all  evangelical 
Christians.  His  friends,  however,  could  not  be  so 
easily  satisfied,  and  insisted  on  knowing  why  his  case 
was  so  unexpectedly  disposed  of?  The  first  answer 
obtained  was,  "  He  is  a  man  of  hlood.''^  This  was 
received  with  profound  astonishment.  Can  it  be  possible 
that  the  talented,  gentle,  and  devoted  Ewing  is  a  man 
of  blood  ?  We  have  known  him  from  early  youth  to 
have  been  robust  and  active,  brave  and  spirited ;  but 
can  it  be  possible  that  he  has  at  any  time  imbued  his 
hands  in  the  blood  of  a  fellow  creature  ?  The  next 
answer  was,  "  very  lately,  Avithin  the  last  month,  he 
engaged  in  boxing  with  a  notorious  bully,  who  left  the 
ground,  bleeding  and  vanquished."  This,  if  true,  was 
admitted  to  be  a  sufficient  justification  for  the  majority. 
But  was  it  true  ?  Were  there  no  extenuating  or  even 
justifying  circumstances  ? 

The  following  is  substantially  the  statement  of  Rev. 
Thomas  Calhoun,  Rev.  Samuel  McSpedden,  and  others, 
which  will  exhibit  the  afiair  in  its  true  light,  and  fully 
vindicates  the  character  of  Mr.  Ewing  : 

Hearing  that  his  brother,  the  sheriff  of  an  adjoining 
county,  was  lying  at  the  point  of  death,  Mr.  Ewing 
visited  him.     He  found  him  convalescent,  though  still 


84  llEJECTION,    ITS    CAUSE 

feeble  and  emaciated.  A  precept  was  brought  to  the 
sheriff,  requiring  him  to  apprehend  and  lodge  in  jail,  a 
certain  fugitive  from  justice,  who  had  returned,  and 
was  secreted  in  a  certain  house.  The  cas6  was  urgent, 
the  man  to  be  taken  into  custody  was  known  to  be  a 
desperate  character,  and  was  beheved  to  have  several 
accomplices.  A  posse  comitatus  was  summoned,  and 
Mr.  Ewing,  greatly  concerned  for  his  brother's  condition, 
joined  the  party.  The  house  was  surrounded,  the 
fugitive  apprehended,  and  properly  secured,  and  the 
party  went  forward. 

After  journeying  a  few  miles  their  progress  was  inter- 
rupted by  a  party  of  men,  headed  by  a  notorious  bully, 
Trho,  in  a  thundering  voice,  cried  out : 

"  Stop  !  what  are  you  doing  with  this  man  ?  " 

"  I  have  served  a  warrant  upon  him :  "  said  the 
sheriff,  "  and  we  are  taking  him  to  prison." 

With  tremendous  oaths,  the  bully  swore  that  they 
should  release  the  man  and  let  him  go  ;  then  seeing  the 
party  about  to  advance,  he  leaped  from  his  horse,  and 
rushed  towards  the  sheriff,  ^ith  clinched  fist  and  uplifted 
arm.  Mr.  Ewing  in  the  mean  time  had  sprung  from 
his  horse,  placed  himself  in  front  of  his  brother,  and 
stood  ready  to  shelter  him  from  violence. 

The  bully,  scanning  his  robust  frame  and  unblenching 
countenance,  said : 

*'  You  are  a  sturdy  fellow.  But  I  whip  every  man 
that  crosses  my  path.  I  am  called  the  bully  of  the 
county.     Dare  you  fight  me  ?  " 

"  I  dare  not;  "  was  the  mild  reply,  '"  nor  did  I  come 


AND    CONSEQUENCES.  85 

here  to  violate  the  laws  in  any  way.  The  man  is  in  the 
custody  of  an  officer  of  the  law,  who  has  summoned  us 
to  assist,  and  we  must  do  our  duty." 

"  The  man  is  innocent,"  exclaimed  the  bully. 

"  So  much  the  better  for  him  ;  justice  will  be  done. 
The  Court,  and  not  we,  must  decide." 

"  Tell  me  not  of  the  Court  and  officers,"  said  the 
bully,  and  stepping  around  towards  the  sheriff,  "  I  have 
owed  this  one  a  whipping  for  a  long  time,  and  now  I 
will  give  it  to  him." 

Mr.  Ewing  again  interrupting  him,  said  : 

"  You  would  not  whip  a  dead  man  nor  a  dying  one, 
look  at  him,  and  you  will  see  he  is  almost  as  unable  to 
defend  himself.  If  you  are  a  brave  man  you  will  not 
harm  him.  True  courage  never  could  attack  weakness 
like  his." 

"  If  you  take  up  this  quarrel,  I  am  your  man,"  said 
the  bully. 

"  I  take  up  no  quarrel.  The  sheriff  is  my  brother. 
He  has  but  lately  risen  from  a  bed  of  sickness ;  I 
cannot  see  him  abused." 

The  bully,  after  uttering  curses  and  threats  of  violence 
against  the  sheriff,  said  : 

"  Why  do  you  keep  yourself  between  us,  suice  you 
dare  not  fight  me  nor  take  up  the  quai-rel  ?  " 

"  I  take  up  no  quarrel ;  I  dare  not  offend  against 
God  nor  the  laws  :  but  I  dare,  and  will  defend  my  sick 
brother  from  violence." 

At  these  words,  the  bully,  with  ungovernable  rage, 
assaulted   Mr.   Ewing,    and   seemed   about   to   handle 


86  REJECTION,    ITS    CAUSE 

him  very  roughly.  His  friends  interposed,  exclaiming, 
"  They  must  not  fight.  Part  them  !  Part  them  !  " 
The  bully's  party  rushed  forward,  denouncing  vengeance 
against  any  who  should  attempt  to  part  them,  and 
insisting  that  they  should  have  "  a  fair  fight."  This, 
according  to  the  technicality  of  the  times,  was  under- 
stood to  mean,  that  the  parties  should  continue  their 
contest  until  one  or  the  other  cried  for  quarter,  or  gave 
signs  of  acknowledgment  that  "  he  was  whipped." 

The  contest  went  on,  and  Walter  Scott  might  have 
thought  it  the  realization  of  his  fiction  of  Fitz-James  and 
Roderick  Dhu.  Mr.  Ewing  found  his  backwoods  training 
in  youthful  sports,  athletic  feats,  and  Indian  warfare,  of 
decided  advantage  in  his  present  peril.  At  first  his 
friends  looked  on  with  perturbation  and  fear,  while  the 
other  party  raised  cheers  of  encouragement  and  shouts 
of  victory  for  their  champion.  At  length  it  was  dis- 
covered, that  the  bully  was  depressed  and  bleeding 
profusely ;  while  Mr.  Ewing  appeared  uninjured  and 
invigorated,  dealing  his  blows  with  great  precision  and 
effect.     His  friends  crying:  "Give  it  to  him.  Finis  !  " 

The  bully's  party  were  now  the  ones  to  interfere,  and 
raise  the  cry  of — "Part  them!  Part  them!"  But 
the  Sheriff's  party  indignantly  rushed  forward  with 
their  loaded  whips,  exclaiming :  "  You  said  a  fair  fight ! 
And  a  fair  fiirht  it  shall  be  !  "  And  a  fair  fi;j;ht  it 
was,  according  to  the  most  approved  practice  of 
pugilism.  Had  there  now  been  any  further  interference, 
a  general  battle  and  the  loss  of  life  might  have  been 
the  consequence. 


AND    CONSEQUENCES.  87 

The  bully,  finding  himself  engaged  with  an  antagonist 
of  no  mean  strength  and  prowess,  and  feeling  somewhat 
uncomfortable  from  the  wounds  on  his  head  and  face, 
from  which  the  flowing  blood  served  greatly  to  embarrass 
his  visual  organs,  thought  proper,  for  this  once,  to  doff 
his  title  of  "  bully  of  the  county,"  and  cry  aloud  fo-r 
quarter.  Mr.  Ewing  immediately  released  him,  and 
assisting:  him  to  mount  his  horse,  ordered  him  to  clear 
himself.  ^  He  did  so,  followed  by  his  companions  ;  some 
of  whom  were  heard  to  murmur  applauses  of  the 
stranger's  gallantry,  perhaps  secretly  gratified  at  seeing 
a  turbulent  spirit  at  last  quelled.  Without  further 
molestation  the  prisoner  was  taken  to  jail. 

This  affair,  being  reported  to  the  majority  of  the  Pres- 
bytery, perhaps  without  its  justifying  circumstances,  is 
said  to  have  produced  the  decision  before  stated.  It 
certainly  was  not  of  a  clerical  character,  nor  indicative 
of  the  talent  most  to  be  desired  by  a  minister.  Reduced 
to  the  alternative  of  seeing  his  sick  brother  ill  treated, 
or  of  defending  him  from  the  threatened  violence,  Mr. 
Ewing's  choice  was  justifiable  and  praise-worthy  under 
the  circumstances.  The  incident  however  was  always  a 
subject  of  regret ;  and  in  speaking  of  it  years  after- 
wards, he  seemed  to  ascribe  its  favorable  issue,  more  to  a 
superintending  providence  than  to  his  own  physical  power. 

The  evangelical  party  dissatisfied  with  the  action  of 
the  Presbytery  in  April,  now  determined  to  adopt  mea- 
sures which  they  hoped  would  lead  to  a  more  favorable 
result  at  the  meeting  of  that  body  in  October  following. 
Accordingly   several  congregations  got  up  petitions  to 


88        KEJECTION,   ITS    CAUSE   AND    CONSEQUENCES. 

Presbytery,  numerously  signed,  praying  for  the  licensure 
of  the  young  men.  Dr.  Davidson,  in  his  History,  page 
226  and  7  states,  "  several  petitions  being  offered  from 
Rockbridge,  Sharon,  and  other  societies,  importunately 
praying  for  the  licensure  of  the  four  catechists  — 
Anderson,  Ewing,  King  and  McLean  —  and  their  labors 
being  represented  as  highly  acceptable  and  marked  with 
the  divine  blessing,  the  Presbytery  proceeded  to  examine 
them  with  a  view  to  that  object.  "  He  tells  us  after- 
wards that  Presbytery  proceeded  to  license  them,  with 
the  exception  of  McLean,  by  the  large  vote  of  seventeen 
to  five.  For  this  result,  though  not  equal  to  their  wishes, 
the  evangelical  party  glorified  God. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
LIGHT   ARISETH   IN   DARKNESS. 

Discouraging  report  —  People  afflicted  —  Unwilling  to  lose  tlieir  preacber  —  A 
question — Decided  for  Presbyteriauism  —  Their  favorite  minister  returns  — 
Power  of  his  preaching  —  Recommends  prayer  meetings  —  Asks  prayers  for 
himself —  Prospects  —  The  gospel  for  all  —  Four  classes  of  hearers  —  The  igno- 
rant—The careless  —  Infidels  —  Tormalists  —  The  latter  occasion  most  grief — 
Kesponsibilities  of  Christians  —  Abstract  of  a  sermon  —  Living  piety  and  dead 
formality  —  Prejudice  —  A  formalist  converted  —  Visit  to  an  intelligent  infidel 
—  The  gospel  triumphs. 

After,  Mr.  Ewing  had  left  this  district  to  attend  the 
Presbytery,  it  was  reported  that  the  revival  was  becoming 
disorderly ;  that  outcries  and  fallings  down  were  fre- 
quent ;  that  McGready,  McGee  and  others,  encouraged 
these  disorders  ;  but  that  certain  influential  old  ministers 
were  determined  to  arrest  the  progress  of  these  irregu- 
larities, and  silence  all  the  exhorters.  Consequently  it 
"was  inferred  that  the  man  who  had  been  laboring  with 
so  much  success,  and  was  so  greatly  beloved  in  that 
district,  would  not  be  permitted  to  return.  With  the 
exception  of  a  few  infidels,  who  still  adhered  to  their 
false  philosophy,  and  a  few  worldlings,  who  were 
unwilling  that  people's  consciences  should  be  alarmed, 
this  news  was  received  with  universal  regret  and  dis- 
satisfaction. The  few  disciples,  especially  those  who 
had  embraced  religion  since  the  commencement  of  the 


90  LIGHT   ARISETH   IN    DARKNESS. 

revival,  were  filled  with  grief  and  consternation.  They 
were  not  disposed  thus  summarily  to  dissolve  their 
connection  ,with  one  who  had  labored  faithfully  and 
assiduously  for  the  salvation  of  their  families  and 
friends,  and  had  been  the  instrument  of  signal  blessings 
to  the  community.  They  had  seen  the  infidel  silenced, 
if  not  convinced,  the  formalist  abandoning  his  false 
foundation,  the  worldling  alarmed  in  his  conscience, 
the  profane  swearer  pleading  for  pardon,  the  mourner 
comforted,  and  the  wavering  confirmed.  His  example 
and  precepts  had  not  been  lost  on  their  children  and 
servants.  He  had  always  a  word  of  instruction, 
counsel,  or  encouragment  for  all  who  came  in  his  way. 
His  conciliatory  address  and  affectionate  manners  ren- 
dered him  a  welcome,  an  honored  guest  in  every  family. 
All  desired  his  return  ;  and  the  thought  that  they  should 
see  his  face  no  more,  inflicted  deep  sorrow  and  dejection. 
But  after  what  had  been  done  for  them,  and  their 
present  cheering  prospects,  the  idea  that  they  were 
again  to  be  left  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  was 
mdeed  insupportable.  They  asked  one  of  another, 
can  it  be  possible  that  any  of  our  ministers  are  disposed 
to  obstruct  the  revival  because  some,  like  the  Samaritan, 
"  with  a  loud  voice  glorified  God,  and  fell  down  at 
Jesus'  feet,  giving  thanks ;  "*  and  others,  Uke  the  blind 
Bartlmeus,  "  cried  out,  Jesus,  thou  son  of  David,  have 
mercy  on  me."|  If  the  work  be  of  God,  they  cannot 
prevail  against  it,  nor  succeed  better  than  did  those  who 
*'  charged  the  blind  man  that  he  should  hold  his  peace." 

*  Luke  xvli,  15, 16.  t  Mark  x,  47. 


LIGHT  ARISETH  IN  DARKNESS.  91 

In  many  of  the  places  where  meetings  had  been  held, 
the  people  began  to  consider  what  they  would  do,  if 
indeed  the  Pi-esbytery  should  not  send  to  them  Mr. 
Ewing  nor  any  one  else.  Should  they  call  preachers  of 
other  denominations  ?  It  need  not  be  a  matter  of  surprise 
that  there  were  some,  on  so  large  a  circuit,  who  were 
in  favor  of  a  connection  with  the  Methodist  church, 
provided  they  should  be  abandoned  in  their  present 
extremity  by  the  church  of  their  choice.  But  these 
were  not  numerous.  A  very  large  majority,  however 
they  might  respect  the  piety  and  zeal  of  that  denomina- 
tion, could  not  adopt  Arminian  sentiments.  They  were 
still  less  disposed  to  seek  suppUes  from  the  Baptists' who, 
besides  their  diiferent  views  on  baptism,  were  not  then 
remarkably  intelligent,  and  were  thought  to  lean  too 
much  to  Antinomianism:  these  have  since  been  known 
as  Anti-missionary  Baptists. 

These  anxieties  and  agitations  were  brought  to  a  close, 
by  Mr.  Ewing's  return  to  the  circuit.  All  seemed  to 
rejoice  that  the  Presbyters  had  regarded  them  not  as 
aliens  or  exiles  unworthy  of  their  regard,  but  as  orphan 
children  requiring  their  fostering  care,  and  heirs  of 
Christ's  kingdom  entitled  to  its  privileges.  Their  first 
and  favorite  teacher  had  been  licensed  as  a  probationer, 
and  was  now  in  their  midst,  with  enlarged  powers  for 
doing  good :  not  now  confined  to  exhortation  and  ser- 
monizing only  by  stealth,  but  fully  authorized  to  announce 
his  text  and,  according  to  his  own  judgment,  use  or 
omit  the   formalities  of  a   regular  discourse.  *     They 

*  It  was   usual   ^vith    the   Transylvania  Presbyifiy   to  limit  her 


92  LIGHT  AR13ETH    IN    DARKNESS. 

trusted  he  had  come  in  the  fuUness  of  the  blessing  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ."  He  had  indeed  come  with  a  heart 
burdened  with  the  weight  of  his  responsibiUty,  a  spirit 
oppressed  with  a  sense  of  his  insufficiency  for  the  impor- 
tant work  to  be  performed,  but  with  humble  reliance  on 
divine  aid.  He  used  to  say  to  the  brethren,  ^'  the 
minister  as  well  as  the  Christian,  struggling  alone,  can 
do  nothing ;  but  the  grace  of  God  assistmg,  can  do  all 
things.  "  He  preached  even  with  more  power  than  he 
had  done  the  year  before.  At  every  appointment  crowds 
came  to  hear ;  great  solemnity  prevailed ;  there  was 
often  much  weeping  and  some  cases  of  pungent  conviction. 
At  each  of  his  preaching  places,  Mr.  Ewing  assembled 
the  few  living  Christians  and  recommended  to  them,  the 
establishment  of  weekly  meetings  for  reading  the  scrip- 
tures, prayer  and  praise.  He  particularly  requested 
their  prayers  for  the  divine  blessing  on  his  labors. 
Though  he  could  visit  each  place  only  once  in  about  four 
weeks;  yet  he  would  be  laboring  every  day  somewhere, 
for  the  salvation  of  souls.  Paul  might  plant,  ApoUos 
Avater,  but  God  alone  could  give  the  increase.     He  had 

licensed  cxhorters  in  the  use  of  scripture  texts,  as  the  foundation  of 
their  discourses,  and  in  other  ways  still  more  absurd  and  ridiculous. 
Smith  speaks,  page  586,  of  the  exhorters  delivering  discourses, 
"  without  the  formality  of  announcing  a  text. "  And  Dr.  DavidsoUf 
page  122,  speaks  of  two  candidates  being  "  licensed  to  exhort  publicly, 
under  the  limitation  of  not  exhorting  oftener  than  o-nce  in  two  weeks 
&c."  He  mentions  other  limitations  which  may  be  proper  enougli ; 
but  this  looks  like  casting  men  upon  an  ice-berg  for  two  weeks,  lest 
they  should  strike  fire,  and  send  forth  more  light  and  heat  than  would 
conduce  to  every  bodv's  comfort. 


LIGHT   AKISETII  IX    DAKKNESg.  93 

promised  to  hear  the  prayer  of  faith,  and  could  answer 
by  bestowing  the  richest  blessings.  He  reminded  them 
how  frequently  the  greatest  of  the  Apostles  requested 
his  brethren  to  pray  especially  for  him,  that  he  might 
*'  open  his  mouth  boldly  to  make  known  the  mystery  of 
the  gospel."  And  if  a  divinely  inspired  Apostle  felt  the 
necessity  of  the  prayers  of  God's  people,  much  more 
might  one  of  the  feeblest  advocates  of  Christ's  cause. 
If  in  that  case  it  was  the  duty  of  the  brethren  to  pray  for 
their  minister,  in  this  it  is  not  only  their  duty  but  their 
interest :  for  their  minister  can  never  hope  to  profit  them 
without  divine  aid. 

And  in  order  to  interest  their  sympathies  and  prayers, 
he  made  known  the  state  and  prospects  of  the  diflferent 
places  of  meeting  on  the  circuit,  detailing  not  only  the 
encouraging,  but  the  disheartening  circumstances  ;  those 
inspiring  his  hopes  and  those  exciting  his  fears,  those 
promising  success  and  those  betokening  failure.  He 
said  the  gospel  message  was  to  every  creature  :  *  none 
were  to  be  despaired  of.  And  while  it  was  the  minister's 
duty  to  "  preach  the  word  ;  be  instant  in  season  and 
out  of  season ;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long 
suffering  and  doctrine  ;  "f  it  was  no  less  the  duty,  as 
well  as  the  privilege  of  the  people,  "  to  strive  together 
with  him  in  their  prayers  to  God."  $  He  believed  God 
was  preparing  a  blessing  for  the  people  of  the  circuit. 
There  was  evidently  a  general  anxiety  to  hear  the  gospel. 
The  Spirit  of  God  appeared  to  be  at  work  with  the  hearts 
of  the  people.     Opposition  was  to  be  expected  from  the 

*  Mart  xTi,  15.  t  2  Timothy  it,  2.  t  Romans  xv,  13, 


94  LIGHT    AKISETH    IN    DARKNESS. 

god  of  this  world  and  his  worshipers.  But  lamentable 
to  tell,  there  was,  in  some  places,  opposition  from  the 
professed  followers  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  were  ministers 
and  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 

He  supposed  his  congregations,  generally,  to  be 
composed  of  the  following  classes :  1.  The  ignorant, 
including  a  great  portion  of  the  young.  These  were  to 
be  instructed  in  the  scriptures,  to  be  taught  their  duties 
and  responsibilities  as  rational  and  accountable  creatures, 
and  as  candidates  for  eternity,  to  be  made  acquainted 
with  the  claims  and  conditions  of  the  gospel,  its  promised 
blessings  and  threatened  penalties.  2.  Those  more  or 
less  acquainted  with  the  provisions  of  the  gospel,  but  too 
much  engrossed  by  the  world,  and  wedded  to  their  sins, 
to  yield  to  its  claims.  These  need  not  so  much  to  be 
instructed,  as  reasoned  with,  awakened  from  their  insen- 
sibility, alarmed  in  their  consciences,  and  apprised  of 
their  danger  and  exposure  to  the  wrath  of  God  which 
awaits  impenitent  sinners.  3.  Those  deluded  by  infi- 
delity. These  require  a  course  of  argumentation  diflferent 
from  all  the  others.  It  is  not  enough  to  prove  to  them 
a  doctrine  or  a  duty  from  the  scriptures :  they  require 
proof  of  the  scriptures  themselves.  They  occupy  ground 
directly  opposed  to  Christianity,  not  one  inch  of  which 
■will  they  yield,  while  it  can  be  maintained  by  reason  or 
sophistry.  Their  arguments  are  to  be  promptly  met, 
their  objections  patiently  answered,  and  their  bulwark 
of  false  philosophy  fairly  demolished.  4.  Members  of 
the  church  who  have  not  experienced  a  change  of  heart. 
These   insist  on  certain   doctrines   and   usages,  to   the 


LIGHT    AKISETU    IN    DARKNESS.  95 

neglect  of  some  truths  plainly  inculcated,  and  some 
duties  as  clearly  enjoined  ;  as  members  of  the  church, 
they  wield  an  influence  not  very  favorable  to  vital  piety  ; 
and  sometimes  the  Saviour  is  wounded  in  the  house  of 
his  friends.  They  cannot  endure  sound  doctrine  ;  and 
truth,  designed  to  show  them  the  state  of  their  own 
hearts,  lead  them  to  examine  the  foundation  of  their 
hopes,  and  test  the  genuineness  of  their  faith,  invariably 
offends  them.  They  seem  to  trust  in  their  own  righteous- 
ness, and  not  the  righteousness  which  is  of  God  by  faith. 
They  occasion  more  grief  and  vexation  to  a  minister 
than  all  other  classes,  criticising  severely,  and  finding 
fault  unmercifully.  They  are  generally  found  among 
the  opposers  of  the  revival. 

The  living  members  of  Christ  had  now  much  to  do  ; 
their  responsibilities,  at  all  times  great,  were  now  immea- 
surably increased ;  it  was  no  time  for  slothfulness,  for 
burying  of  talents,  for  idleness  in  the  market-place. 
"Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,"  "the  light  of  the 
world."  Let  your  light  shine  before  men,  that  they 
may  glorify  your  Father  in  heaven.  Ye  are  workers 
together  with  God,  and  must  work  while  it  is  day ;  the 
night  Cometh  when  no  man  can  work.* 

In  his  preparation  for  the  pulpit,  Mr.  Ewing's  practice 
was  to  study  his  subjects  thoroughly,  and  arrange  his 
ideas  and  arguments  in  a  manner  calculated  to  make 
lasting  impressions  on  the  minds  of  his  hearers.  Preach- 
ing often  and  without  notes,  it  is  believed  he  wrote  but 

*  John  ix,  i. 


96  LIGHT    AKKSETII    IN    DAllKXKSS. 

few,  if  any  sermons,  except  those  designed  for  publi- 
cation, and  these  not  until  after  they  had  been  delivered 
extemporaneously.  He  is  said  to  have  preached  with 
great  power  and  happy  effect  from  the  following  text : 
"  If  the  righteous  scarcely  be  saved,  where  shall  the 
ungodly  and  the  sinner  appear  ?  "  *  He  regarded  this 
passage  of  scripture  as  comprising  all  intelligent  beings 
under  two  classes  of  opposite  character,  to  one  or  the 
other  of  which,  every  individual  must  inevitably  belong  ; 
those  of  the  first  class,  by  the  merits  of  Christ  who  has 
brought  in  an  everlasting  righteousness  and  the  influ- 
ences of  the  Holy  Ghost  renewing  their  natures,  being 
made  righteous  by  faith ;  those  of  the  second  class 
rejecting  the  only  way  of  salvation,  which  is  the  Lord 
our  righteousness,  and  continuing  impenitent  and  unbe 
lieving,  being  denominated  the  ungodly  and  the  sinner  ; 
these  two  differing  only  in  form  and  profession.  A 
counterfeit  coin  belongs  to  the  class  of  base  metals,  and 
resembles  that  which  is  genuine  only  in  form  and  exter- 
nal covering :  he  argued  that  the  ungodly  are  classed 
with  sinners,  and  differ  from  them  in  nothing,  except  in 
outward  form  and  profession  assumed  in  imitation  of  the 
righteous.  But  as  there  are  certain  tests,  by  which  the 
false  could  be  known  from  the  true  ;  he  proceeded  to 
apply  certain  scripture  tests,  by  M'hich  the  ungodly  and 
the  sinner  might  be  distinguished  from  the  godly  or 
righteous.  If,  through  the  assisting  grace  and  guiding 
Spirit  of  God,  the  righteous  get  to  heaven  with  difficulty, 

*  1  Peter  iv,  18. 


LIGHT  ARISETH   IX   DARKNESS.-  97 

through  this  dangerous  and  ensnaring  world  ;  vrhat  shall 
be  the  doom  of  the  ungodly  and  the  sinner,  who  equally 
reject  that  grace  and  resist  that  Spirit  ? 

Discourses,  of  which  the  above  is  but  an  imperfect 
specimen,  were  designed  to  show  the  difference  between 
living  piety  and  dead  formalism,  to  build  up  the  spirit- 
ually minded  in  the  most  holy  faith,  and,  driving  the 
carnally  minded  professor  from  his  false  foundation,  lead 
Mm  to  build  on  the  rock,  Christ  Jesus.  This  kind  of 
preaching,  however  unusual  in  that  region,  and  however 
unpalatable  to  some,  has  scarcely  been  found  more 
necessary,  perhaps,  in  any  Christian  country  or  at  any 
period  of  time.  There  were  those  in  various  places, 
who  had  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the 
older  States,  who  neither  knew  nor  sought  to  know  any 
thing  about  experimental  religion ;  who  appeared  to 
think  that,  by  their  connection  with  the  church,  their 
observance  of  all  its  ordinances  and  their  maintenance 
of  an  honest,  upright  deportment  among  men,  they  were 
doing  all  they  could ;  and  the  amount  of  righteousness 
«^  ^^thus  wrought  out  by  themselves  with  the  merits  of  Christ 
superadded,  would  amply  secure  their  salvation.  It  was 
common  to  hear  them  say,  "  I  do  all  I  can,  and  what  I 
cannot  do,  Christ  will  do  for  me ;  if  after  I  have  done 
the  best  I  can,  I  lack  any  thing,  Christ  must  supply  the 
balance."  These,  and  similar  expressions,  led  Mv. 
Ewing  privately  to  question  the  persons  using  them  ; 
and  the  result  was  a  conviction  in  his  mind  that  they 
knew  nothing  of  a  change  of  heart.  They  seemed  to 
think  their  calling  and  election  sure,  because,  believing 
9 


98  LIGHT  AMSETH  IN  DARKNESS. 

and  doing  some  things,  disbelieving  and  shunning  other 
things,  they  were  not  openly  wicked  as  other  men  are. 
Hence,  in  private  as  well  as  in  public,  he  dwelt  much 
on  the  necessity  and  evidences  of  the  new  birth  ;  and  ho 
strenuously  insisted  that,  trusting  in  one's  own  righte- 
ousness was  deceiving  one's  self  and  building  on  the 
sand :  "  for  all  our  righteousnesses  are  as  filthy  rags."  * 
The  idea  of  doing  the  best  we  can  and  expecting  Christ 
to  supply  the  balance,  is  placing  our  own  works  in  con- 
nection with  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  as  part  of  a 
joint  stock,  and  making  ourselves  partners  with  him  in 
our  salvation.  "  Not  by  works  of  righteousness  which 
■we  have  done,  but  according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us, 
by  the  washing  of  regeneration  and  renewing  of  the 
Holy  Ghost."  f  Our  best  services  stand  in  need  of 
purification  and  forgiveness.  Either  Christ  is  all  things 
to  the  believer,  or  he  is  nothing  ;  if  grace  does  not  the 
entire  woi'k  of  salvation,  it  is  left  undone. 

A  gentleman  noted  for  his  intelligence,  originally  from 
Scotland,  who  had  for  many  years  held  the  ofiice  of 
ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  church  in.  North  Caro- 
lina—  than  whom  the  writer  recollects  no  one  better 
versed  in  ancient  and  modern  history  and  but  few  better 
acquainted  with  the  scriptures  —  had  heard  of  the  diffi- 
culties in  Transylvania  Presbytery,  growing  out  of  the 
licensure  of  some  unlearned  men,  and  declared  his 
irreconcilable  repugnance  to  so  dangerous  a  measure. 
He  had  sometimes  heard  illiterate  preachers  of  other 
denominations,  who  seemed  to  him,  neither  qualified  to 

•  Isa.  Ixiv,  6.  t  Tit.  lil,  &. 


LIGHT  ARISETH  IN  DARKNESS.  99 

instruct  the  people  nor  calculated  to  honor  the  cause  of 
religion.  His  denominational  pride  —  he  used  to  saj  — 
was  alarmed  at  the  thought  of  illiterate  preachers  among 
his  own  people  who  had  generally  insisted  on  a  learned 
ministry.  Hearing  that  one  of  these  very  men,  thus 
improperly  licensed  to  preach,  had  appointed  a  meeting 
at  a  place  not  far  distant  from  his  residence,  he  thought 
he  could  not  attend,  without  thereby  giving  countenance 
to  proceedings  which  would  result  in  nothing  better  than 
disgrace  to  the  church  and  mortification  to  his  own  feel- 
ings. After  a  struggle  with  his  prejudices,  however,  he 
did  attend  ;  but  he  was  most  agreeably  —  or  as  he  used  to 
say,  ^\t/loriousIi/^^ — disappointed.  Instead  of  an  igno- 
ramus disgustmg  every  body,  by  his  uncouth  language, 
unintelligible  ideas  and  heterodox  sentiments,  as  he  had 
expected,  he  beheld  a  person  of  prepossessing  and  gen- 
tlemanly appearance,  whose  eye  beamed  with  intelligence, 
whose  countenance  bespoke  weighty  thoughts  strugglmg 
for  utterance,  and  whose  whole  demeanor' evinced  him 
to  be  a  good  man,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith ; 
and  he  listened  to  a  discourse  which,  for  originality  of 
thought,  cogency  of  argument,  soundness  of  doctrine, 
and  eloquence  of  enunciation,  he  thought  unrivalled. 
He  was  afterwards  heard  to  say,  if  this  was  a  specimen 
of  the  preachers  which  the  revival  had  produced,  he 
never  desired  to  hear  any  other  class. 

To  the  last  day  of  his  life,  this  old  gentleman  would 
eloquently  describe  that  meeting,  and  many  others 
succeeding  ;  and  he  did  not  hesitate  to  make  known  the 
fact  that  he  had  been  long  a  member  of  the  church, 


100  LIGHT  APJSETH  IN  DARKNESS. 

"without  any  experience  of  grace  ;  having  a  name  to  live 
•while  he  was  dead ;  that  while  he  Avas  "  a  spot  on  the 
feast  of  charity,  a  cloud  without  .water,"  *  the  faithful 
preaching  of  Mr.  Ewing  was  blessed  of  God  to  the 
discovery  of  his  mistaken  condition  and  the  establish- 
ment of  his  hopes  on  the  only  sure  foundation.  He 
testified  his  gratitude  by  saying,  he  had  heard,  in  Scot- 
land and  the  United  States,  many  eloquent  preachers 
and  learned  doctors  ;  but,  for  detecting  the  formalist 
and  alarming  the  sinner,  he  had  never  known  the  equal 
of  Finis  Ewing.  In  the  fullness  of  his  heart  would  he 
glorify  God,  that  he  had  in  his  merciful  providence, 
brought  him  to  hear  the  precious  truth  from  those  lips 
■which  some  had  tried  to  seal,  but  God  opened  for  the 
salvation  of  many  souls.  He  was  among  the  first  to 
cast  his  lot  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church 
after  its  organization,  and  was  esteemed  one  of  its 
brightest  ornaments  and  firmest  pillars.  He  died  in  the 
triumphs  of  faith  ;  and  the  writer  attending  his  funeral, 
could  but  witness  how  fondly  his  memory  was  cherished, 
how  deeply  his  death  was  lamented. 

In  the  spring  of  this  year,  when  Mr.  Ewing  was 
about  to  attend  Presbytery,  a  gentleman  of  high  respect- 
ability, and  noted  as  well  for  his  intelligence  as  for  his 
infidel  sentiments,  who  had  notwithstanding  been  one  of 
his  constant  hearers  from  his  first  coming  to  the  circuit, 
invited  the  preacher  to  his  house,  with  an  importunity 
■which  scarcely  admitted  of  a  refusal.  Mr.  Ewing 
complied  with  the  invitation  and  visited  the  family.     He 

•Judel2. 


LIGHT    ARISETH    IN    DARKNESS.  101 

found  the  lady  of  the  house  under  concern  of  mind  and 
seeking  religion.  But  her  husband,  having  studied 
Paine's  and  other  infidel  writings,  adhered  to  his  vaia 
delusion.  The  time  was  principally  spent  in  hearing 
and  answering  objections  to  the  Christian  religion  and 
proving  the  authenticity  of  the  Christian  scriptures. 
The  gentleman  was  rather  confounded  than  convinced. 
He  was  evidently  disquieted  by  some  rising  doubts  ;  fur 
he  insisted  that  the  preacher  should  again  spend  some 
time  with  him  on  his  return  ;  and  promised  to  comply 
with  the  one  condition  on  which  his  request  was  granted  ; 
that  he  would  attentively  read  his  Bible  during  the 
interval.  In  the  mean  time  the  lady  and  several  of  her 
neighbors  professed  religion.  Mr.  Ewing  fulfilled  his 
promise,  aud  continued  to  visit  this  family  as  often  as 
his  labors  on  the  circuit  led  him  to  the  neighborhood. 
This  gentleman's  case  shows  how  difficult  it  is  for  truth 
to  supplant  error,  when  the  latter  has  obtained  a  lodg- 
ment even  in  an  ingenuous  mind.  But  error,  being 
inherently  weak,  can  maintain  its  ground  against  the 
omnipotence  of  truth,  only  by  the  succors  it  receives 
from  the  depraved  heart.  The  result  was,  this  gentle- 
man became  an  honest  inquirer,  re-examined  the  infidtl 
system,  found  it  unsupported  by  reason,  abandoned  it, 
sought  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  finally  found  joy 
and  peace  in  believing.  Often  has  he  been  heard  to 
give  glory  to  God,  for  the  providence  which  directed 
Finis  Ewing  to  that  part  of  the  country ;  and  often 
would  he  talk  about  the  sermon  which  awakened  his 
first  serious  reflections,  and  repeat  the  text:  "Beware 


102  LIGHT    ARISETII    IN    DARKNESS. 

lest  any  man  spoil  vou,  through  philosophy  and  vaia 
deceit,  after  the  tradition  of  men,  after  the  rudiments 
of  the  world,  and  not  after  Christ.  For  in  him  d^Yelleth 
all  the  fullness  of  the  Godhead  bodily."  * 

•Col.  ii,  8-9. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

THE  WILDERNESS    BECOMING   GLAD. 

First  objects  of  new  settlers  —  Blessings  attending  tlie  gospel  —  Preaching  in  tbs 
open  air  —  Good  effects  —  Churches  and  school  houses  —  Improrement  In 
morals  —  Praying  bands  —  Meeting  at  Mc Adow  —  General  awakening  —  Extends 
—  Societies  formed  —  Petitions  for  a  pastor  —  Mr.  Ewing  unanimously  called  — 
Ordained  —  His  influence  —  The  mother  of  churches  —  Its  members  —  Still 
flourishing. 

In  nev/  countries  seldom  is  any  tiling  done  for  the 
benefit  of  society,  until  the  settlers  have  provided  for 
themselves  and  families  the  requisite  domestic  comforts. 
The  people  are  generally  too  much  occupied  in  erecting 
houses,  improving  farms,  and  raising  crops,  to  consider 
or  provide  for  their  intellectual  and  spiritual  wants. 
Sometimes  whole  communities,  while  rapidly  advancing 
in  temporal  prosperity,  continue  long  neglectful  of  their 
eternal  interests  ;  while  enjoying  the  rich  blessings  of 
a  bountiful  Providence  they  are  unmindful  of  their 
duties  and  responsibilities  to  that  God  from  whose 
beneficent  hand  all  their  blessings  flow.  They  inquire, 
*'  What  shall  we  eat  ?  or  what  shall  we  drink  ?  or 
wherewithal  shall  we  be  clothed?"  after  the  manner  of 
the  Gentiles  of  other  times.  But  the  direction  of 
infinite  benevolence  is,  "  Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of 
God  and  his  righteousness,  and  all  these  things  shall  be 


104  THE   -VriLDERNESS    BECOMING    GLAD. 

added  unto  you."*  Wherever  the  go&pel  finds  \U  way, 
civilization  and  all  its  attendant  blessings  are  sure  to 
follow.  In  proportion  as  the  gospel  wins  the  hearts  of 
men,  the  soil  is  prepared,  the  seed  sown,  v/hich,  being 
warmed  by  vivifying  rays  from  the  sun  of  righteousness 
will,  under  a  genial  culture,  produce  a  harvest  of  those 
virtues  which  dignify  and  adorn  human  nature. 

When  Mr.  Ewing  first  came  to  this  circuit,  there  was 
scarcely  a  house  of  worship  or  a  school  house  within  its 
bounds.  Meetings  were  held  in  private  houses,  or, 
when  the  weather  would  permit,  in  the  open  air.  In 
the  latter  case,  a  rudely  constructed  pulpit  or  stand 
was  erected  in  a  grove  ;  and  rows  of  timber  or  plank 
placed  on  logs,  furnished  seats  for  the  congregation,  the 
whites  in  front,  and  the  blacks  in  the  rear.  Here  has 
been  delivered  many  a  sermon,  which,  if  not  so  learned 
and  eloquent  as  those  of  a  Massillon  or  a  Melville,  may 
have  proceeded  from  a  spirit  no  less  fervent,  arid  reached 
hearts  no  less  sincere.  Here,  doubtless,  have  assembled 
those  who  as  truly  hungered  and  thirsted  after  righteous- 
ness as  did  the  Vaudois  of  the  valleys,  or  the  Covenanters 
of  the  highlands  ;  and  though  these  worshipers  had  no 
fears  of  molestation  from  the  civil  powei-s,  they  had  to 
bear  the  unsparing  censures  of  cold-hearted  brethren 
and  carnal  professors,  backed  by  the  scoffs  of  infidel 
objectors,  and  the  repugnance  of  an  ungodly  Avorld. 
"  But  the  word  of  God  is  not  bound,'''  nor  is  his  Spirit 
confined  either  to  Jerusalem  or  Samaria;  the  Father 
who  "  seeketh  the  true  worshipers  who  worship  him  in 

•  Matt.  Tl,  8i  -  8a. 


THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  GLAD.      105 

spirit  and  in  truth,"*  can  find  them  out  as  well  under 
the  forest  shade,  as  "  in  the  temples  made  with  hands." 
Thousands  can  testify  that  in  these  structures  of  a  day's 
preparation,  proud  hearts  were  humbled,  rebellious 
natures  subdued,  broken  spirits  healed,  a  holj  people 
comforted,  a  feeble  church  strengthened,  and  God 
glorified  in  the  salvation  of  many  souls. 

During  the  present  year,  1803,  the  people  at  some 
of  the  preaching  places  erected  meeting-houses,  of  hewed 
logs,  it  is  true,  but  tolerably  commodious,  and  sufficiently 
large  to  accommodate  the  congregations  which  ordinarily 
attended.  Several  school-houses  also  were  built,  and 
schools  established.  The  Lord's  day  was  beginning  to 
be  generally  observed.  The  youth  no  longer  devoted 
that  sacred  day,  as  in  former  years,  to  hunting  and 
fishing ;  and  a  large  proportion  of  the  people  found  other 
time  than  the  Sabbath,  for  visiting  and  feasting.  Even 
those  worldly  amusements,  to  which  the  more  Avealthy 
class  had  been  long  addicted  before  immigrating  to 
the  country  —  such  as  dancing,  horse-racing,  and  card- 
playing  —  were  becoming  unfashionable,  and  were 
considered  by  those  formerly  engaged  in  them,  not 
altogether  harmless  or  reputable.  Before  the  gospel 
was  preached  in  these  counties,  it  is  said,  a  house- 
raising,  a  log-rolling,  or  other  public  gathering,  generally 
resulted  in  more  or  less  drunkenness  and  profanity, 
sometimes  in  quarreling  and  fighting.  But  from  the 
time  of  which  we  are  writing,  these  things  were  of  very 
rare  occurrence.     So  true  it  is,  that  the  gospel,  where 

*  Joto  iT,  28. 


106      THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  GLAD. 

it  is  faithfully  preached,  tends  to  restrain  from  vice,  even 
those  who  neither  yield  to  its  claims  nor  observe  its 
precepts, 

Mr.  Ewing's  preaching,  from  the  first,  had  struck 
directly  at  the  prevailing  vices.  He  had  clearly  shown, 
that  the  depraved  heart  is  the  fountain  from  which  all 
sins  flow.  He  had  argued,  unless  the  fountain  were 
cleansed,  the  heart  regenerated,  the  soul  must  be  inevi- 
tably lost.  When  a  man's  conscience  is  alarmed  in  view 
of  his  exposure  to  death  and  hell,  there  arises  in  his 
mind  a  desire  to  escape.  This  desire  prepares  him  to 
give  attention  to  the  only  way  of  escape,  which  is  the 
gospel  plan;  and  to  hear  of  the  only  name,  whereby 
sinners  can  be  saved,  which  is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
And  he  who  died  for  sinners  has  satisfied  the  claims  of 
justice,  magnified  the  law,  brought  in  an  everlasting 
righteousness,  having  become  our  mediator,  intercessor, 
and  surety ;  and  now  oifers  full  pardon  and  free  salva- 
tion to  all,  through  faith.  Where  a  whole  community 
can  be  induced  to  listen  to  the  faithful  preaching  of  the 
word  of  God,  there  it  is  next  to  impossible  for  ignorance 
and  vice  to  maintain  the  ascendancy. 
■  At  those  preaching  places  where  the  number  of 
professors  of  religion  was  sufficient  to  conduct  the 
exercises,  weekly  meetings  for  prayer,  &c.,  had  been 
held,  according  to  Mr.  Ewing's  suggestion.  It  is 
probable  that  the  people  engaged  in  this  duty,  and 
availed  themselves  of  this  privilege,  not  so  much  because 
their  preacher  had  recommended,  as  because  the  word 
of  God  had   enjoined,   "  the  assembling  of  themselvea 


THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  GLAD.      107 

together,"  *  for  mutual  edification.  There  is  good 
reason  to  believe,  they  met  at  the  times  appointed, 
not  to  say  their  prayers,  as  a  formal  duty,  but  to  offer 
up  their  desires  to  God  for  things  agreeable  to  his  will, 
under  a  deep  sense  of  their  own  wants,  and  their  need 
of  divine  aid  and  blessings.  They  doubtless  took 
encouragement  from  the  constitution  which  God  has 
ordained:  "Ask  and  it  shall  be  given  you  —  every 
one  that  asketh,  receiveth."  f  With  filial  affection  they 
desired  a  nearness  to  their  heavenly  Father,  and  remem- 
bered his  gracious  words :  "  Then  shall  ye  call  upon 
me,  and  ye  shall  go  and,  pray  unto  me,  and  I  will 
hearken  unto  you."  \  There  had  been  occasional  con- 
versions, and  some  valuable  accessions  to  their  little 
praying  bands ;  but  as  yet  they  had  not  witnessed  those 
truly  wonderful  displays  of  victorious  grace,  with  those 
numerous  trophies  which  had  been  so  signally  manifested 
in  other  parts  of  the  country.  Some  mercy-drops  had 
fallen  on  all  parts  of  the  circuit,  even  more  than  they 
had  once  dared  to  expect,  and  for  which  they  desired 
to  be  thankful ;  but  still  they  prayed,  that  these  might 
prove  only  the  harbingers  of  a  gospel-teeming  shower. 
"  The  desire  of  the  righteous  shall  be  granted."  § 

It  was  early  in  the  summer  of  1803  that  the  displays 
of  divine  power  and  grace  were  manifested  on  this  circuit, 
which  were  to  change  the  moral  aspect  of  the  entire 
region.  In  the  neighborhood  of  Mr.  Hutchinson,  where 
a  church  was  afterwards  organized  and  still  flourishes, 
by  the  name  of  McAdow,  and  where  Mr.  Ewing  had 

*  Heb.  X,  25  t  Mat  vii,  7,  8.  X  Jer.  xxix,  12  $  Prov.  x,  24. 


108      THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  CLAD. 

commenced  bis  missionary  labors,  tbis  work  commenced. 
On  Saturday  of  a  two  days'  meetinir,  under  a  sermon  of 
tbe  usual  interest,  tbe  large  congregation  seemed  much 
affected;  many  were  batbed  in  tears,  and  some  cried 
aloud  for  mercy.  At  nigbt  Mr.  Ewing  preached  again  ; 
and  tbe  interest  still  continuing  to  increase,  mourners 
were  invited  to  the  anxious  seats.  Crowds  came  forward, 
inquiring :  "  What  must  I  do  to  be  saved  ?  "  ,  They 
were  directed  to  "  believe  on  tbe  Lord  Jesus  Cbrist,  " 
and  informed  of  the  promise  ;  "  and  thou  shalt  be  saved." 
They  were  also  reminded  that  our  Saviour  himself  has 
said:  "  Him  that  cometh  to  me  I  will  in  no  wise  cast 
out.  "  That  was  a  night  of  wonderful  power :  some  who 
had  long  been  groaning  under  the  burden  of  their  sins, 
experienced  a  merciful  deliverance  ;  and  many  hardened 
sinners  were  brought  to  bow  before  the  mercy  seat 
of  Christ, 

On  Sabbath,  the  news  of  what  had  taken  place  the 
day  before,  having  circulated  in  all  directions,  a  large 
congregation  assembled.  During  the  sermon,  it  is  said, 
an  awful  solemnity  seemed  depicted  on  every  counte- 
nance, and  fearful  trembling  appeared  to  have  seized 
every  heart.  There  w^ere  several  hoj^/cful  conversions, 
and  the  number  of  penitents  continued  to  increase.  Tbe 
followers  of  the  Lord,  lately  so  feeble  and  few,  rejoiced 
exceedingly. 

Mr.  Hutchinson,  from  whom  tbe  information  is  derived, 
being  a  good  and  graphic  describer,  we  will  allow  him  to 
tell  the  story.     He  says  : 

There  were  no  careless  ones  then,  or  but  very  few. 


THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  GLAD.       109 

Most  of  the  sinners  were  seeking  the  salvation  of  their 
souls,  crying  for  mercy  or  saying,  '  pray  for  me.'  And 
as  for  the  Christians,  they  were  fully  employed,  either 
in  rejoicing  with  them  that  rejoiced,  or  in  weeping  with 
them  that  wept.  That  was  a  memorable  day,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  memorable  consequences.  We  were  soon  enabled 
to  rejoice  over  the  conversion  of  some  of  our  children, 
friends,  neighbors,  and  fellow-citizens.  And  as  the  work 
progressed,  our  unconverted  friends  found  the  Lord 
precious,  ready  to  forgive,  and  able  to  save  ;  they  could 
embrace  him  in  their  arms  of  faith,  not  only  at  church, 
but  at  home,  in  their  closets,  in  the  woods,  by  the 
way^side,  almost  any  where.  Our  wilderness  became 
glad  for  them,  and  our  desert  continued  to  blossom  as 
the  rose. 

What  a  highly  favored  people  were  we  !  And  what 
i?ause  had  we  for  praise  and  thanksgiving  !  We  said, 
trnely  "  what  shall  we  render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his 
benefits  towards  us?"  We  wished  to  "  offer  in  his 
tabernacle  our  sacrifices  of  joy."  W^e  wanted  to  dwell 
in  his  house  all  the  days  of  our  lives.  We  loved  the 
Lord,  and  desired  to  serve  him.  W^e  loved  one  another 
and  must  worship  our  God  together,  and  walk  to  his 
house  in  company.  We  loved  our  unconverted  friends, 
and  must  follow  them  with  our  united  prayers,  our 
faithful  warnings,  our  affectionate  entreaties,  if  perad- 
venture  they  might  turn  and  live.  We  must  provide 
for  them,  for  ourselves,  for  all,  instruction  in  righteous- 
ness, even  the  services  of  the  sanctuary.  We  must 
unite  in  society.      We  must  build  up  a  church.     Our 


110     THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  GLAD. 

beloved  pastor  must  advise  and  instruct  us  in  this  matter, 
before  his  departure  to  the  fall  meeting  of  Presbytery. 
But  who  were  to  compose  our  church  ?  The  weak 
had  now  become  strong.  Instead  of  a  few,  we  were 
now  many  on  the  side  of  the  Lord.  Instead  of  three 
or  four,  a  great  company  had  come  up  to  the  help  of 
the  Lord  against  the  mighty.  The  gracious  work  had 
extended  throughout  the  circuit.  It  had  run  from  one 
preaching  place  to  another,  like  fire  in  the  stubble,  and 
seemed  to  sweep  all  before  it.  From  all  accounts  the 
telegraph  is  a  wonderful  invention.  But  the  Spirit  of 
God  is  infinitely  more  powerful  to  carry  truth  to  the 
heart  and  imprint  it  on  the  conscience.  By  the  fall  of 
this  year,  new  societies  were  formed  in  various  places. 
Our  country  was  too  new  for  any  one  congregation  to 
support  a  pastor  ;  but  all  united  could  sustain  a  mission- 
ary on  the  circuit.  The  societies  took  counsel  on  the 
subject ;  and  it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  we  would 
send  petitions  to  Presbytery,  praying  that  the  man 
whose  labors  had  been  so  abundantly  blessed  among  us, 
might  be  set  apart  to  the  whole  work  of  the  ministry, 
and  appointed  to  organize  our  churches  and  administer 
the  word  and  ordinances.  We  never  throught  to  inquire 
whether  there  were  any  better  preachers  ;  the  one  we 
called  for  was  good  enough  for  us.  We  knew  not,  and 
cared  not,  how  learned,  talented,  and  popular  others 
might  be  ;  our  choice  had  fallen  on  one  who  had  proved 
himself  to  be  all  that  we  desired.  We  would  not  have 
exchanged  him  for  a  Davis  or  a  Witherspoon.  I  do 
believe,  if  the  Presbytery  had  sent  us  another  Wesley 


THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  GLAD.      Ill 

or  Whitefield,  we  would  have  been  disappointed  and 
dissatisfied.  There  was  one  man  who,  two  years  before, 
had  come  among  us  "  weeping,  bearing  precious  seed, 
who  could  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves 
with  him."  We  preferred  that  man  to  all  others,  whose 
spiritual  children  on  the  circuit  could  be  counted  by 
scores  and  hundreds  ;  and  that  man  was  Finis  Ewing. 

From  Mr.  Hutchinson's  account  it  would  appear  that 
several  societies  petitioned  for  Mr.  E wing's  ordination. 
Dr.  Davidson  mentions  only  those  of  Spring  Creek, 
McAdow,  and  Clarkesville.  Smith  mentions  the  same, 
aud  quotes  from  the  Cumberland  Presbytery*  book,  a3 
follows:  "In  view  of  these  petitions  and  the  wants  of 
the  young  societies,  many  of  whom  needed  and  much 
desired  the  administration  of  the  sealing  ordinances, 
Presbytery  agrees  that  Mr.  Ewing  be  ordained  on  the 
Friday  before  the  third  Sabbath  in  November  next." 
Whether  the  petitions  of  some  of  the  societies  failed  to 
reach  the  Presbytery  in  time  to  be  noticed  on  her 
minutes,  or  that  body  thought  the  record  of  three 
sufficient,  has  not  been  ascertained ;  nor  is  it  in  either 
case  a  matter  of  much  importance. 

Mr.  Ewing  continued  to  labor  on  this,  his  first  circuit, 

*  Had  the  writer  been  engaged  in  producing  a  history  of  the 
church,  instead  of  an  individual,  it  would  have  been  proper  before 
to  have  noticed  the  fact  that,  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  Kentucky- 
Synod,  in  October,  1802.  Transylvania  Presbytery  was  divided,  and 
a  new  Presbytery  formed,  including  the  Green  River  and  Cumberland 
countries,  that  is,  southern  Kentucky,  and  the  part  of  Tennessee 
lying  west  of  the  mountains.  This  was  the  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
by  which  Mr.  Ewing  was  ordained 


112  Tnr:  wildebxe.-?  becoming  glad. 

for  a  jear  and  a  half  or  two  years  after  his  ordination. 
Such  were  the  attacliments  of  the  people  to  their 
minister,  and  such  their  confidence  in  the  man  whom 
most  of  them  regarded  as  their  spiritual  father,  that 
they  would  not  exchange  him  for  any  other,  whatever 
his  character  might  be  for  learning,  talents  and  piety. 
And  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  other  at  the  time  could 
have  wielded  so  great  influence,  so  fully  have  won  their 
hearts,  or  wrought  so  successfully  among  them.  At 
McAdow"  he  had  made  his  first  acquaintance,  and 
preached  his  first  sermon.  Here  the  first  mercy  drops 
had  fallen,  and  here  was  afterwards  sent  the  first 
copious  and  refreshing  shower.  Here  the  first  church 
was  organized,  and  here  was  held  the  first  camp  meeting 
on  this  circuit.  The  writer  has  visited  this  congregation 
several  times,  and  has  had  opportunity  of  becoming  better 
acquainted  with  its  history  than  with  others. 

This  church  has  been  generally  prosperous,  and  at 
times  abundantly  blessed :  it  has  been  remarkable  for 
the  number  and  extent  of  its  revivals.  These  seasons 
of  refreshing  have  kept  the  ranks  filled  and  the  church 
flourishing ;  while  many  emigrants  have  gone  forth  to 
the  new  states  and  territories,  forming  in  various  places, 
the  nucleus  of  other  churches  which,  by  the  blessing  of 
God,  have  been  gathered  through  their  instrumentality. 
This  has  been  the  mother  of  churches  in  other  states. 
Hence  have  originated  some  very  able  and  useful  minis- 
ters ;  among  whom  are  the  two  Morrows  and  Wm.  I. 
Hutchinson,  a  son  of  the  venerable  Elder  whose  state- 
ments we  have  had  occasion  to  repeat.     Rev.  Robert 


THE  WILDERNESS  BECOMING  GLAD.      113 

Morrows,  D.  D.  is  known  as  the  President  of  Chapel 
Hill  College,  in  the  state  of  Missouri.  The  members  of 
the  church  at  McAdow  are  generally  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  The  prevalent  vices  and  folHes  of  the 
towns  are  here  unknown,  or  only  known  to  be  pitied  and 
shunned.  They  are  a  humble,  unostentatious  people  ; 
but  they  have  more  religious  intelligence  than  many  who 
make  much  higher  pretensions.  The  Bible  in  their 
families  appears  to  be  their  rule  of  life,  and,  with  other 
good  books,  their  most  valued  fountain  of  knowledge. 
While  the  old  have  maintained  a  godly  walk  and  pious 
conversation  ;  the  young  have  enjoyed  their  instructions, 
followed  their  examples,  and  now  seem  to  make  religion 
the  great  business  of  life.  The  fathers  and  mothers  in 
Israel  have  nearly  all  gone  to  their  everlasting  reward ; 
but  the  sons  and  daughters  in  Zion  fill  their  places  :  the 
departing  Elijahs  seem  to  have  let  fall  their  mantles 
upon  the  young  Elishas.  On  this  circuit,  Mr.  Ewing 
organized  many  churches,  from  the  fruits  of  the  revival, 
of  Avhich  he  had  been  the  visible  instrument.  McAdow 
at  present  is  probably  among  the  largest  and  most 
efficient  country  churches  in  Middle  Tennessee.  Most 
of  the  others,  organized  by  Mr.  Ewing  about  the  same 
period,  have  continued  to  prosper,  and  with  few  excep- 
tions will  compare  favorably  Avith  churches  in  the  country 
generally. 

10 


CHAPTER  X. 

CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON. 

Two  parties  —  Mr  Dickey — Party  spirit  —  Shiloh  calls  Craighead  —  Waning 
influence  —  Ministers  of  Upper  Kentucky  —  Death  of  Anderson  —  His  charac- 
ter—  Ewing's  lamentation  —  His  counsel  to  the  brethren  —  His  seat  in  Presby- 
tery objected  to  —  The  design  —  Overruled  —  His  meekness  —  His  motives  — 
Attends  Synod  —  His  two  brothers  —  The  letter  of  Craighead  —  Citations  and 
appointment  of  a  Committee  —  Unconstitutional  —  Corrupt  party  in  Scotland 
—  Impressions  of  the  parties  —  Views  of  the  Messrs.  E wing  —  Rising  storm  — 
Cameron  —  Nelson  and  Hodge  ordained  —  Grand  cause  of  the  separation  —  Tha 
Commission  appointed. 

It  has  been  already  said,  and  the  reader  will  often 
have  occasion  to  notice,  that  from  the  first  appearance 
of  the  revival,  five  ministers  belonging  to  the  Cumberland 
Presbytery  which  had  been  stricken  oif  from  the  Tran- 
sylvania, were  opposed  to  the  work,  as  spurious.  These 
were  Messrs.  Craighead,  Balch,  Bowman,  Donnell,  and 
Templin,  who  were  called  the  anti-revival  party.  An 
equal  number  regarded  the  work  as  a  genuine  outpour- 
ing of  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  labored  day  and  night  for 
its  promotion.  These  were  Messrs.  McGready,  Hodge, 
MoGee,  McAdow,  and  Rankin,  who  were  known  as  the 
revival  party.  These  parties  were  equally  balanced, 
distinctly  marked,  and  opposed  in  the  general  to  each 
others'  measures.  They  had  with  each  other  but  very 
little  intercourse,  except  when  thrown  together  at  their 


CLOTJDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON.  115 

meetings  of  Presbj^tery,  or  when  the  anti-revivalists  min- 
gled among  the  crowd  at  the  meetings  of  the  other  party, 
for  the  purpose  of  criticising  and  fault-finding :  the  latter 
certainly  was  not  a  friendly  intercourse.  The  reception 
of  Mr.  Hawe,  the  Methodist,  by  Transylvania  Presby- 
tery, and  ordination  of  Messrs.  Anderson,  Ewing,  and 
King,  had  increased  the  revival  party  from  five  to  nine. 
The  death  of  Mr.  Anderson  in  1804  reduced  their  num- 
ber to  eight ;  but  the  ordination  of  Samuel  Hodge  and 
Thomas  Nelson  augmented  their  number  to  ten. 

The  anti-revival  party  too  were  very  anxious  to  add 
to  their  number  and  increase  their  strength.  But  how 
was  this  to  be  done  ?  There  were  in  that  part  of  the 
country  but  very  few  educated  young  men,  and  they 
had  made  too  much  noise  about  literary  qualifications  to 
adventure  upon  any  who  did  not  make  at  least  some  pre- 
tensions to  learning.  Besides,  the  pious  and  intelligent 
generally  had,  by  this  time,  become  favorable  to  the  revi- 
val. There  was  in  the  Presbytery  a  man,  concerning 
whom  Dr.  Davidson,  in  a  note*  quotes  from  the  minutes 
of  Transylvania  Presbytery,  in  1801,  the  following : 
*'  Whereas,  Mr.  Dickey,  [then  a  candidate,]  is  reported 
to  have  absented  himself  from  the  communion  of  the 
church,  and  opposed  the  revival  of  religion  in  many 
instances,  the  Presbytery  recommend  it  to  the  said 
Dickey  henceforth  to  return  to  Christian  communion, 
and  endeavor  to  promote  vital  religion  ;  and  in  order  to 
this,  always  endeavor  to  direct  either  real,  blind,  or 
false  zeal  from  every  other  object  to  the  faith  of  Christ.'* 

*  Dav,  His.  pp.  231  and  282 


116         CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  nORIZOJT. 

The  above  extract  would  represent  this  Mr.  WiUiam 
Dickey,  as  possessing  the  character  and  qualifications, 
not  likely  to  be  overlooked  nor  undervalued  by  the 
anti-revival  party ;  and  they  ordained  him  in  1805, 
^Yhich  accession  increased  their  number  to  six.  All 
these  ordinations  were  of  course  by  the  order  of  Presby- 
tery ;  but  the  ordination  services  were  performed  by 
their  respective  parties.  At  the  time  of  the  meeting 
of  the  commission  of  Kentucky  Synod  the  revival  party 
had  a  majority  of  four  ministers  and  almost  all  the 
elders  ;  hence  the  censures  intended  to  be  passed  upon 
the  Cumberland  Presbytery  were  aimed  only  at  the 
revival  party. 

The  state  of  affairs  in  Presbytery  produced  a  party 
spirit,  which  for  a  time  threatened  the  most  serious 
consequences,  and  bade  fair  to  involve  the  members  of 
the  different  churches  in  implacable  contentions.  But 
the  revival  ministers  were  too  well  employed  to  concern 
themselves  much  about  the  censures  cast  upon  them^ 
and  took  special  pains  to  give  no  cause  of  offence, 
further  than  their  measures  and  the  incidents  of  the 
■work  might  offend.  The  consequence  was,  as  the  revi- 
val progressed,  as  one  after  another  formalist  became 
converted,  and  many  stubborn  spirits  yielded  to  the 
force  of  ti'uth,  their  opponents  were  left  almost  without 
adherents  among  the  people.  There  were  only  a  few 
here  and  there  who  remained  obstinate,  and  a  portion  of 
the  Shiloh  congregation,  who,  after  violently  closing  the 
church  doors  against  their  pastor,  Mr  Hodge,  and  being 
censured  by  Presbytery,  seceded  and  called  Dr.  Craig- 


CLOUDS    IN    THE    ECCLESIASTICAL    HORIZON.       117 

head  as  their  pastor.  *  Opposition  to  the  revival  at 
length  seemed  in  a  good  degree  to  be  broken  down. 
Worldly  mindedness  generally  -vvas  alarmed ;  and  infi- 
delity was  almost  silenced.  The  opposition  plainly  saw 
that  their  influence  was  nearly  gone,  and  their  popu- 
larity lost ;  they  now  redoubled  their  efforts  to  make 
what  interest  they  could  among  the  ministers  of  Central 
and  Upper  Kentucky.  These  were  generally  good 
men ;  and  under  other  circumstances,  it  is  believed, 
they  would  not  have  enlisted  in  the  ranks  of  opposition 
to  a  genuine  revival.  Eut  even  good  men  are  liable  to 
be  deceived  by  the  artful  misrepresentations  of  those  in 
whom  they  confide  ;  and  the  more  injurious  these  mis- 
representations may  be,  the  more  violent  may  become 
their  prejudices.  It  was,  however,  only  by  confounding 
the  revival  with  the  New  Light  excitement — against 
the  errors  of  which  these  good  men  were  battling  with 
all  their  might  —  that  the  anti-revivalists  gained  their 
full  confidence  ;  and  when  this  was  done,  an  extension 
of  their  abhorrence  of  the  latter  to  the  former  also  was 
the  natural  consequence.  In  this  way,  it  is  confidently 
believed,  the  ministers  of  Central  and  Upper  Kentucky 

*Kev.  T.  C.  Anderson,  President  of  Cumberland  University, 
whose  local  situation  enabled  him  to  obtain  accurate  knowledge  of 
the  fact,  says,  "  the  majority  of  the  party  of  the  Shiloh  congregation 
•who  closed  the  doors  against  Mr.  Hodge,  and  called  Dr.  Craighead, 
as  their  pastor,  subsequently  united  with  the  Stoneites  or  New 
Lights."  This  unequivocally  proves  that  they  opposed  the  revival 
and  the  party  favoring  it,  not  from  their  love  of  orthodoxy  and 
order,  as  they  pretended,  but  from  their  love  of  error,  too  gross  to 
be  openly  avowed  at  the  time. 


118   CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON.^ 

were  induced  to  take  common  ground  with  the  original 
opposers  of  the  revival. 

The  revival  party  were  called  about  this  time  to 
mourn  the  death  of  Rev.  Alexander  Anderson,  It 
seemed  an  inscrutable  Providence.  He  was  the  first  of 
the  young  men  licensed  by  the  Transylvania,  and  the  first 
ordained  by  the  Cumberland  Presb^'tery.  His  great 
zeal  and  eminent  usefulness  had  been  witnessed.  Of 
his  services  to  the  church,  high  hopes  had  been  enter- 
tained. On  his  being  licensed,  he  had  employed  a 
person  to  superintend  his  farm,  and  from  that  time,  till 
his  death,  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
Nor  were  his  sacrifices  and  labors  in  vain.  A  holy 
unction  attended  his  ministrations ;  and  during  the  few 
years  of  his  ministerial  life,  he  was  the  acknowledged 
instrument  of  saving  many,  very  many  precious  souls. 
He  had  been  very  much  respected  and  beloved  by  all 
who  knew  him.  It  is  even  said  that  he  Avas  almost 
idolized  by  those  who  knew  him  best ;  and  some  have 
supposed,  it  was  for  this  reason  that  the  Lord  saw 
proper  to  remove  him  to  his  inheritance  on  high.  He 
had  seen  the  cloud  of  opposition  rising,  which  portended 
the  approaching  storm,  and  was  heard  to  express  a  wish 
that,  if  consistent  with  the  divine  will,  he  might  not 
live  to  witness  it.  His  prayer  was  answered,  and  the 
church  was  doomed  to  mourn.  His  uprightness  and 
amiability  of  character  had  won  the  confidence  and  love 
of  all  parties. 

He  died  at  his  post,  while  Itinerating  as  a  preacher 
in  Kentucky,    February,    1804.       He  was  the  father 


CLOUDS   IN   THE   ECCLESIASTICAL   HORIZON       119 

of  Rev.  T.  C.  Anderson,  the  talented  President  of 
Cumberland  University,  at  Lebanon,  Tennessee. 

Few  could  feel  the  death  of  this  good  man  more 
sensibly  than  Mr.  Ewing.  Few  had  known  him  more 
intimately.  Together  had  these  two  men  often  mingled 
their  thoughts,  their  sympathies,  and  their  prayers. 
They  had  engaged  in  the  same  holy  calling,  under 
similar  difficulties,  and  had  left  houses  and  lands,  and 
wives  and  children,  for  the  sake  of  Christ  and  his 
gospel.  They  had  often  talked  over  their  mutual  trials, 
comforted  and  encouraged  each  other,  and  discussed 
the  glories  of  that  bright  world,  where  a  crown  of 
righteousness  awaited  them.  Mr.  'Ewing  now  saw 
peculiar  beauty  in  David's  lamentation  over  Jonathan, 
and  could  say,  "  I  am  distressed  for  thee,  my  brother." 
He  remarked  to  Mr.  Hutchinson,  "If  I  know  what 
are  the  exercises  of  a  man  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron, 
Brother  Anderson  was  so  called.  If  I  have  a  proper 
conception  of  a  man  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  faith, 
he  was  that  man.  His  meekness,  gentleness,  and 
forbearance,  were  as  truly  lovely  to  behold,  as  they 
were  powerful  to  disarm  opposition.  He  has  been  wise 
to  win  souls ;  his  will  be  a  starry  crown." 

Mr.  Ewing,  during  the  year  ISO-l,  was  still  laboring 
on  his  circuit,  and  the  revival  was  progressing  with 
great  power  under  his  ministrations.  News  of  the  efforts 
of  the  opposition,  attended  with  circumstances  very 
much  calculated  to  afflict  and  offend,  frequently  reached 
the  brethren  in  this  quarter.  But  he  advised  to  let 
none  of  these  things  move  them.     He  said,  "  we  can 


120      CLOUDS   IN   THE   ECCLESIASTICAL   HORIZON. 

be  better  employed.  God  is  able  to  overrule  all  to  his 
own  glory,  and  the  good  of  them  that  love  him.  Let 
us  be  workers  together  with  him,  showing  that  we  have 
not  received  the  grace  of  God  in  vain.  If  God  be  for 
us,  who  can  be  against  us  ?  " 

At  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  in  the  spring,  the 
opposing  members  resorted  to  a  novel  method  of  annoy- 
ing the  majority  as  well  as  of  wounding  Mr.  Ewing. 
They  objected  to  his  taking  his  seat  as  a  presbyter,  under 
the  pretence  that  he  had  been  illegally  ordained.  Had 
they  disapproved  of  his  ordination  before  ?  There  is  no 
evidence  that  they  had  done  so.  What  then  could  have 
been  their  real  motive  ?  It  is  scarcely  possible  that  all 
of  them  could  have  been  so  grossly  ignorant  of  ecclesi- 
astical government  as  to  suppose  that  Presbytery,  after 
ordaining  a  man  and  admitting  him  a  constituent  member 
of  their  body,  could  reverse  their  own  decision,  ignore 
their  own  act,  and  refuse  him  a  seat.  They  knew  too 
that  a  majority  of  the  ministers  and  nearly  all  the  elders 
loved  the  man  for  his  works'  sake.  It  is  impossible  to 
conceive  that  they  had  the  slightest  hope  of  actually 
depriving  him  of  his  seat.  They  must  have  had  another 
object.  They  were  aware  of  the  petitions  for  his  licen- 
sure and  ordination,  which  had,  for  two  years  previous, 
come  from  several  congregations  on  his  circuit ;  nor 
were  they  ignorant  of  the  gracious  work  then  in  progress 
there,  through  his  instrumentality.  But  to  them,  these 
facts  were  no  recommendations.  It  is  impossible  under 
the  circumstances  to  see  what  was  intended  by  this 
procedure,  beyond  annoyance  or  insult.     So  doubtless 


CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON.        121 

thought  the   Presbytery :    for   the  objection  was  soon 
overruled  by  a  large  majority. 

Mr.  Ewing  was  not  of  a  character  or  temperament  to 
brook  insult.  While  he  scrupulously  respected  the 
rights  of  others,  he  was  generally  prompt  to  assert  and 
resolute  to  maintain  his  own.  Even  then  his  indomitable 
energy  of  character,  his  independence,  self-reliance  and 
power  of  resisting  obtrusion  whether  by  his  arguments 
or  his  raillery  were  known ;  and  few  would  be  willing  to 
provoke  a  personal  encounter  with  him,  with  justice  on 
his  side.  A  whole  party  of  old  ministers  could  venture 
upon  it,  flattering  themselves  perhaps  with  the  hope  of 
their  own  impunity,  and  the  prospect  of  betraying  him 
into  indiscretion.  Some,  indeed,  believing  an  insult 
actually  intended,  were  surprised  at  his  leaving  the 
matter  entirely  to  the  management  of  the  Presbytery. 
Believing  it  was  the  intention  of  the  opposition  to  mortify 
his  feeUngs,  it  is  thought,  he  deemed  silent  neglect  the 
best  method  of  defeating  it.  'This,  a  man  of  his  position 
in  society  and  of  his  character  as  a  successful  minister, 
could  well  afford  to  do.  But  it  is  probable  there  was 
another  reason  for  his  forbearance  under  so  trjdng 
circumstances :  the  death  of  the  lamented  Anderson 
had  occurred  only  a  month  or  two  before.  And  the 
affliction  occasioned  by  the  loss  of  so  dear  a  fellow- 
laborer,  as  well  as  the  remembrance  of  the  exemplary 
meekness  of  the  deceased,  may  have  tended  at  the  time 
to  soften  any  rising  asperity  of  feeling.  The  action  of 
Presbytery  in  the  premises,  was  all  that  he  could  desire. 
And  whatever  may  have  been  the  design  of  the  opposition 
11 


122        CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON. 

its   defeat  seems   sufficiently  to   have  entangled  them 
in  their  own  snare. 

In  the  fall  of  1804,  Mr.  Ewing  attended  the  meeting 
of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky.  Besides  himself,  there  were 
present  from  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  Messrs.  Mc- 
Gready  and  Donnell,  with  their  elders,  Reuben  Ewing, 
Young  Ewing,  and  John  Dickey.  The  two  Messrs. 
Ewing  were  brothers  of  the  subject  of  this  biography. 
Keuben  was  a  Judge  of  one  of  the  Courts  of  Kentucky, 
and  Young  has  been  long  known  in  the  political  annals 
of  that  State,  and  was  a  Colonel  in  the  expedition  under 
Gen.  Hopkins,  in  the  war  of  1812.  At  this  meeting, 
"was  presented  a  letter,  signed  by  Craighead,  Donnell,  and 
Bowman,  remonstrating  against  the  proceedings  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbytery.  The  Synod  cited  both  the 
parties,  complained  of  and  complaining,  to  appear  before 
them  the  next  fall.  Besides,  a  committee  of  five  minis 
ters  was  appointed  by  that  body  to  attend  the  earliest 
meeting  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  and  report  the 
result  of  their  observations. 

These  citations,  as  every  well  informed  Presbyterian 
must  acknowledge,  were  not  only  without  warrant  in 
ecclesiastical  law,  but  a  palpable  violation  of  the  consti- 
tution. The  Synod  is  not  competent  to  originate  any 
process  against  individual  ministers ;  but  the  discipline 
expressly  declares,  that  "  Process  against  a  gospel 
minister  shall  always  be  entered  before  the  Presbytery 
of  which  he  is  a  member."  *  The  Synod  can  deal  with 
a  Presbytery  as  such  if  any  thing  has  been  done  amiss  ; 

•  DisdpUne,  Ch.  v.  Art.  11. 


CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON.        123 

but  cannot  act  judicially  in  the  case  of  a  minister,  until 
it  has  come  regularly  before  them  by  appeal  from  the 
decision  of  Presbytery.  So  even  the  General  Assembly 
has  several  times  decided,  particularly  in  1808.  The 
appointment  of  the  Committee  also  was  an  unwarrantable 
stretch  of  power.  Propriety  and  common  decency 
should  forbid  the  sending  of  men  to  act  as  spies  on  the 
proceedings  of  a  Presbytery.  This  is  believed  to  be 
without  precedent  in  Presbyterian  government  except  in 
the  appointment  of  the  ambulatory  committees  by  the 
corrupt  "Moderate  party,"  so  called  by  which  the 
evangelical  Church  of  Scotland  was  long  oppressed  ;  and 
by  means  of  which  that  unscrupulous  party  were  able 
"  to  overrule  the  conscientious  reluctance  of  a  Presbytery 
to  inflict  a  grievous  wrong  upon  the  people.* 

In  consequence  of  the  Synod's  proceedings,  the  mem- 
bers from  Cumberland  Presbytery  returned  to  their 
homes,  with  very  different  feelings  and  impressions. 
Donnell  and  perhaps  Dickey  were  buoyant  with  hope, 
beUeving  their  party  was  in  the  ascendant,  and  doubtless 
anticipating  signal  triumphs  over  those  against  whom 
they  had  so  long  arrayed  themselves.  Mr.  McGready 
and  the  Messrs  Ewing  were  dispirited  and  disconsolate  ; 
and  they  sought  a  place  were  to  weep,  and  pour  out 
their  sorrows  before  the  Comforter.  Mr.  McGready 
had  been  under  God,  the  acknowledged  instrument  of 
ushering  in  the  revival ;  he  had  viewed  it  as  a  great 
light,  shining  in  a  dark  place  ;  and  how  could  he  submit 
to  its  extinguishment  ?     Unable  to  fathom  the  motives 

♦■HcthPriniiton"?  His.  Srot.  p.  341. 


124        CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON. 

of  the  Synod,  of  one  thing  he  was  satisfied  ;  the  hearing 
of  these  measures  foreboded  nothing  good. 

The  Messrs.  Ewing  suspected  the  acts  of  Synod, 
however  intended,  were  at  least  calculated  in  their 
very  nature  to  operate  against  the  gracious  work,  its 
measures,  such  as  camp  meetings,  &c.,  and  against  its 
promoters,  among  whom  the  three  brothers  had  been 
more  or  less  conspicuous.  They  had  been  among  the 
first  fruits  of  this  revival ;  they  highly  appreciated  it 
for  what  they  trusted  it  had  instrumentally  done  for 
themselves  and  others  already ;  and  they  desired  to  see 
it  progress,  and  extend  its  benign  influences  till  the 
the  victories  of  the  cross  should  be  many,  and  all  flesh 
should  see  the  salvation  of  God.  In  this  work  they 
behoved  they  had  first  breathed  spiritual  life,  first  tasted 
the  hidden  manna,  and  had  grown  in  grace,  knowledge, 
usefulness,  and  assurance  of  salvation.  Here  they  had 
seen  the  Sabbath  breaker,  the  profane  swearer,  the 
drunkard,  the  gambler,  the  scofier,  the  worldly-wise, 
and  downright  infidel,  as  well  as  the  self-deceived,  the 
backslider,  the  formalist,  by  the  word  and  Spirit  of  God 
arrested,  alarmed,  convicted,  subdued,  finally  converted, 
and  made  to  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God. 

They  were  aware  that  the  revival  had  been  opposed 
from  its  first  commencement  by  certain  ministers  of 
their  own  Presbytery,  but  httle  did  they  expect  to  find 
a  like  spirit  elsewhere.  They  had  no  idea  at  the  time 
that  the  anti-revival  party  had  succeeded  in  seducing 
the  influential  members  of  the  Kentucky  Synod  to 
confound  this  genuine  revival  with  the  dreaded  New 


CLOUDS    IN    THE    ECCLESIASTICAL   HORIZON.       125 

Light  excitement.  Had  they  been  assured  that  these 
good  men  were  about  to  adopt  the  cause  of  Craighead, 
Balch,  Bowman,  and  others,  they  might  have  been  no 
less  astonished  than  were  the  disciples  of  our  Lord 
when  Pilate  and  Herod  were  made  friends.  Whatever 
might  be  the  ultimate  object  of  the  Synod's  proceedings 
they  were  convinced  the  means  adopted  to  attain  it  were 
unconstitutional.  And  to  "  do  evil  that  good  may 
come,"  was  not  in  accordance  with  their  views. 

On  further  consultation  with  their  older  brethren,  and 
especially  on'  considering  the  absurd  statements  and 
slanders  contained  in  their  opponents'  letter,  already 
referred  to,  they  could  not  be  blind  to  the  fact  that  the 
want  of  literary  qualifications  on  the  part  of  some  of 
the  young  men,  and  the  objection  to  fatality  hy  all,  had 
been  made  the  pretexts  for  their  long  and  persevering 
opposition  to  the  revival.  How  far  this  ingenious 
device  could  be  successful,  was  indeed  doubtful.  How 
long  men,  venerable  for  their  age  and  piety,  could  be 
thus  deceived,  was  not  ascertainable. 

To  what  extent  the  anti-revivalists  could  foment 
party  spirit,  by  availing  themselves  of  the  controversy 
in  which  these  good  men  were  engaged  with  the  New 
Lights,  was  of  course  unforeseen.  '  It  was  evident, 
however,  that  the  friends  of  the  revival  had  not  now  to 
contend  with  the  anti  revival  party  alone,  who,  by  their 
unreasonable  hostility,  had  now  fallen  so  low  in  public 
estimation,  they  had  become  rather  the  objects  of  pity 
than  of  dread  :  they  had  to  resist  the  unjustifiable  acta 
of  the  Kentucky  Synod.      DitFiculties  were  generally 


126      CLOUDS    IN    THE    ECCLESIASTICAL   HORIZON. 

anticipated.  The  friends  of  the  revival  were  filled  with 
gloomy  apprehensions.  Finis  Ewing  said,  "  I  see  a 
cloud  rising  which  is  the  forerunner  of  a  storm  ;  and 
with  the  help  of  God,  I  for  one  will  prepare  to  breast 
it."  This  was  the  approaching  storm  which  so  dis- 
tressed the  lamented  Anderson,  against  which  he  prayed, 
and  from  which  he  was  delivered  by  death. 

Of  the  committee  appointed  by  Synod  "  to  attend 
the  earliest  meeting  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
and  report  the  result  of  their  observations,"  it  appears 
that  none  attended  except  Rev.  Archibald  Cameron, 
"  who  on  being  invited  to  take  a  seat  as  a  corresponding 
member,"  says  Smith,  "  for  obvious  reasons  refused."  * 
This  was  in  April,  1805.  Mr.  Ewing  was  present,  and 
approved  of  the  order  which  was  passed  for  the  ordina- 
tion of  Messrs.  Thomas  Nelson,  and  Samuel  Hodge  ; 
and  there  is  no  evidence  that  he  objected  to  the  same 
order  in  behalf  of  Mr.  William  Dickey.  It  seems  to 
be  generally  admitted  that  the  literary  t^ualifications  of 
this  Samuel  Hodge  were  rather  low,  too  low  in  fact  to 
justify  his  ordination.  He  was  the  nephew  of  the 
venerable  father  Hodge,  one  of  the  earliest  promoters 
of  the  revivals ;  and  the  Presbytery  may  have  erred, 
supposing  the  excellencies  of  the  latter  might  be  pos- 
sessed also  by  the  former.  His  and  Nelson's  licensure  and 
his  ordination  were  afterwards  unanimously  recognized 
and  confirmed  by  the  Transylvania  Presbytery,  on  their 
submitting  to  a  re-examination :  a  convincing  evidence 
that  resistance  to  the  unconstitutional  encroachments  of 

*  Page  695. 


•CLOUDS   IN   THE   ECCLESIASTICAL   HORIZON.      127 

Synod  and  refused  to  yield  up  the  rights  guaranteed  to 
a  Presbytery  at  the  bidding  of  arbitrary  authority, 
constituted  the  great  difficulty  which  finally  led  to  the 
separation.  There  is  evidence  to  believe  that  both  these 
men,  especially  Nelson,  were  useful  in  their  vocation. 

The  Synod  of  Kentucky  met  at  Danville,  October 
15,  1805.  With  regard  to  the  real  merits  of  this  body's 
proceedings,  Smith  and  Davidson  have  differed  widely. 
The  biographer  will  here  attempt  no  adjustment.  It 
may  be  safely  predicted  that  the  impartial  historian, 
especially  if  he  shall  have  any  adequate  knowledge  of 
the  form  of  Presbyterian  government,  will  not  pass  them 
■with  the  superfieialness  of  the  latter,  nor  Avithout  at  least 
equal  reprehension  with  the  former. 

By  both  of  these  historians  it  is  expressly  stated  that 
this  Synod  appointed  "  a  Commission,  consisting  of  ten 
ministers  and  six  elders ;  any  seven  ministers,  with  as 
many  elders  as  should  be  present,  to  form  a  quorum  ; " 
*'  vested  with  full  synodical  power  to  adjudicate  upon 
the  proceedings  of  Cumberland  Presbytery;"  and  "to 
meet  at  Grasper  meeting-house,  Logan  county,  in  the 
■bounds  of  said  Presbytery."  The  Commission  were 
directed  to  "  take  into  coiisideration  and  decide  upon  a 
letter  from  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Craighead  and  others."  * 

Here  let  it  be  particularly  noticed  that  they  were  to 
adjudicate  upon  the  proceedings  of  the  Presbytery,  not 
upon  the  conduct,  character,  or  qualifications  of  indi- 
viduals, whether  Hcensed  or  ordained.  They  had  no 
authority  to  obtrude  their  judgments  upon  Presbytery, 

*  Itey.  His.  pp;  2^2  and  283. 


128  CLOUDS  IN  THE  ECCLESIASTICAL  HORIZON. 

interfering  with  her  right  to  Judge  of  the  character  and 
quahfications  of  her  own  candidates.  Party  spirit  had 
not  yet  risen  high  enough  for  that.  If  they  should 
transcend  their  authority  so  far  as  to  undertake  to  deal 
with,  and  judge  of,  individuals  —  which  even  the  power 
appointing  them  could  not  do  —  how  could  they  escape 
censure  ?  They  were  safe  enough :  they  constituted  the 
very  strength  and  influence  of  the  Synod. 


CHAPTER  XL 

INTEGRITY   OF   PRINCIPLE   SURVIVES   THE   STORM. 

Kemarks  —  Rowland  Hill  —  The  Moderates  of  Scotland  —  Resemblances  —  Mem- 
bers of  the  Commission  —  Re-rival  Ministers  —  Young  men  —  When  called  for 

Oommission's  demand  —  Refused  —  Ewing's  course  —  Re-examination  insisted 
on  —  De  Yio  and  Luther  —  Motives  not  appreciated  —  Ewing's  request  —  Opposed 

but  finally  granted  —  Hutchinson's  account  —  The  question  put  —  All  refuse 

Reasons  —  Prohibitions — All  punished,  because  some  were  accused  —  Inqui- 
sition and  the  Moderates  —  Authority  overreached  —  Prejudice  and  party  spirit 
—  Truth  ever  lives,  while  error  dies  —  Craighead's  acquittal. 

There  is  in  general  nothing  hazardous  in  stating 
facts  which  are  indisputable,  and  by  all  acknowledged 
to  be  true.  The  only  danger  lies  in  unfolding  the 
principles  involved  in  the  facts,  and  in  tracing  them  to 
their  legitimate  results.  In  this  case  a  writer  must  see 
the  necessity  of  caution,  lest  his  own  mind  should  be 
biased  by  personal  predilections.  And  he  will  feel 
great  delicacy  in  drawing  those  natural  inferences 
which  inevitably  expose  the  violation  of  principles, 
confessedly  sound,  tending  to  wound  the  feelings  of 
those  whom  he  loves,  and  whose  ecclesiastical  relations 
have  laid  them  under  a  kind  of  necessity  for  making 
the  best  defence  they  can.  In  setting  forth  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Commission  of  Kentucky  Synod  against 
the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  facts  within  the  memory 
of  many  now  living,  and  recorded  in  history,  will  be 


130  INTEGRITY    OF    PRINCIPLE 

fairly  and  faithfully  given.  And  reliance  may  be  placed 
in  the  wisdom  of  posterity  to  vindicate  the  justice  of 
such  comments  as  may  be  made,  against  any  charge  of 
partiality.  Indeed,  some  of  the  most  enlightened  of 
those  whose  ecclesiastical  relations  might  have  led  them 
to  justify  the  Synod's  q,cts,  have  unhesitatingly  admitted 
them  to  have  been  wrong :  while  not  one  of  those  who 
suffered  by  them,  however  they  may  have  submitted, 
has  ever  been  known  to  acknowledge  their  wisdom  and 
justice,  or  even  their  constitutionality  under  the  cir 
cumstances. 

Precisely  at  the  period  when  the  corrupt "  Moderate 
party  "  *  were  adopting  tyrannical  measures  to  exclude 
such  good  men  as  Rowland  Hill  and  Simeon  of  Cam- 
bridge, from  every  pulpit  in  the  Established  Church  of 
Scotland,  because  their  doctrine  was  evangelical  —  while 

*  nethcrton's  His.  Scotland,  pp.  882  and  383. 

"  The  dispensation  of  mercy  to  fallen  man,  entirelj'  by  Jesus  Christ 
is  not  the  sulijcct  preached  by  the  majority  ;  but  with  some,  a  man- 
gled gospel,  law  and  gospel  wretchedly  spliced  together ;  with  others, 
a  mere  hungry  system  of  bare-weight  morality ;  and  with  a  third, 
what  is  worse  still,  a  deliberate  attack  on  all  the  truths  they  have 
engaged  to  upheld.  The  few,  in  comparison,  orthodox  among  them 
are  stigmatized  by  the  nickname  of  the  wild,  while  the  fashionable 
divines  on  the  other  side  of  the  question,  compliment  themselves 
with  the  appellation  of  the  Moderate.  The  epithet  naturally  reminds 
us  of  another,  '  lukewarm,  neither  cold  nor  hot.'  In  short,  it  is  as  with  - 
.all  who  adopt  the  present  half-way  infidel  system  of  the  day,  so 
report  says,  it  is  with  them;  the  cause  of  morality  declines  with  the 
cause  of  the  gospel ;  and  I  fear  the  Scotts,  by  far  the  best  educated 
and  best  behaved  people  in  the  British  dominion,  will  soon  be  no 
better  than  their  neighbors.  Like  their  ministers,  they  will  all  become 
Moderates ;   first,   they  will  be  Moderates  in  religion  :    they  will  have 


SURVIVES  THE  STORM.  131 

the  same  party  were  enacting  that  "  hcences  granted  to 
probationers,  without  the  bounds  of  this  Church,  are 
invalid,"  under  the  pretence  that  persons  miglit  obtain 
hcence  in  England  or  Ireland,  and  be  introduced  into 
the  church  "  without  due  qualifications  " — there  arose 
in  the  Green  river  and  Cumberland  countries,  a  set  of 
Presbyterian  ministers,  who  could  oppose  a  genuine 
revival  of  rehgion,  ridicule  evangelical  doctrine,  and 
remonstrate  against  the  licensure  of  pious  and  intelli- 
gent young  men,  whose  labors  were  specially  needed 
and  prayed  for,  by  the  destitute  congregations.  Only  a 
few  short  years  after  the  sending  forth  of  the  ridiculous 
pastoral  letter  of  that  same  Moderate  party  who  lorded 
it  over  the  Scottish  church  — "  warning  against  giving 
countenance  to  religious  societies,  missionary  associations, 
itinerant  preachers,  and  Sabbath  schools  on  the  assump- 
tion that  these  were  conducted  by  "  ignorant  persons, 

Moderate  notions  of  Jesus  Christ  and  tlie  gospel  of  salvation,  for  we 
cannot  expect  they  will  be  better  than  their  teachers  ;  they  will  next 
be  contented  with  a  Moderate  share  of  love  to  God,  of  prayer,  and 
of  repentance  ;  they  will  be  more  Moderate  in  regard  to  the  use  of 
their  Bibles,  and  be  more  Moderate  in  their  zeal  in  teaching  their 
cliiklren  the  Assembly's  catechism ;  and  this  will  lead  them  to  be 
Moderates  in  morality.  In  point  of  chastity,  sobriety,  honesty,  &c., 
they  will  soon  become  Moderate,  and  be  very  anxious  to  grow  in  this 
famous  fashionable  moderation,  till  they  become  immoderatelij  wicked ; 
unless  through  divine  mercy,  they  hear  a  little  more  of  the  '  grace  of 
God  that  bringeth  salvation,'  the  only  doctrine  that '  teacheth  us  to 
deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and  to  live  soberly,  righteously 
and  godly  in  this  present  world.' "  —  (Journal  through  the  North  of 
England,  and  parts  of  Scotland,  with  Remarks  on  the  Present  State 
of  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland,  &c.  By  Rowland  Hill 
pp  111,  112.) 


132  INTEGRITY  OF  PRINCIPLE 

altogether  unfit  for  such  an  important  charge"* — the 
Kentucky  Synod  found  the  Cumberland  Presbytery 
guilty  of  supplying  destitute  congregations,  by  means 
of  itinerant  preachers,  and  of  recommending  contribu- 
tions for  their  support.  The  itinerancy  was  sufficiently 
objectionable  ;  but  the  contributions  were  unequivocally 
deemed  "  illegal."  While  Moderatism  in  Scotland  for 
many  years,  "  increasing  in  power,  gave  more  open  and 
vigorous  exercise  to  its  malignant  nature,  by  violating 
the  constitutional  principles  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
and  reached  its  full  development  about  the  year  1805  ; 
in  that  same  year  a  commission  was  appointed,  by  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky,  to  adjudicate  on  the  proceedings  of 
Cumberland  Presbytery,  and  to  take  into  consideration 
and  decide  upon  a  letter  from  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Craig- 
head and  others  :  a  mere  letter  of  common  fame,  and 
full  of  misrepresentations  and  slanders.  Surely  the 
appointing  power  must  have  derived  their  precedents 
and  principles  of  ecclesiastical  government,  from  the 
corrupt  party,  which  had  long  before  tyrannized  over 
their  evangelical  brethren,  and  still  bore  sway  at  that 
very  time  in  the  church  of  Scotland.  The  Synod's 
Commission  bear  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  so  called 

*  Heth.  He  also  says,  "  It  need  scarcely  be  said  now  tliat  these 
(and  others  not  here  specified,)  accusations  were  altogether  ground- 
less ;  and  it  hardly  can  be  supposed  that  those  who  uttered  such 
charges  did  themselves  believe  them.  But  it  was  a  conveniet  mode 
of  fixing  the  brand  of  "  sedition  "  upon  preachers  and  teachers  of 
Christianity,  as  was  done  in  the  days  of  the  Apostles,  and  lias  often 
since  been  repeated,  when  the  enemies  of  the  gospel  wished  to  obtain 
a  plausible  pretext  for  persecuting  its  defenders. 


SURVIVES  THE  STORM.  133 

ambulatory  Commissions  of  the  Moderate  party.  But 
•whether  even  the  well  informed  of  that  party  would 
justify  a  Commission's  assumption  of  power  to  re-ex- 
amine licentiates  and  candidates  under  the  care  of  a 
-Presbytery,  or,  without  process  or  form  of  trial,  to 
silence  ordained  ministers  against  whom  no  charge  of 
heresy  or  immorality  had  ever  been  preferred,  is  indeed 
rather  questionable. 

The  Commission  of  Kentucky  Synod  assembled  at 
Gasper  meeting-house,  on  Tuesday,  December  3d,  1805, 
and  was  duly  organized.  It  is  not  necessary  to  notice 
their  proceedings,  further  than  they  afiected  the  minis- 
terial standing  of  the  subject  of  this  biography,  and  of 
the  other  young  men  who  had  been  opposed,  first  by  the 
anti-revival  party,  but  were  to  be  assailed,  now,  by  them 
with  the  strength  and  influence  of  the  Synod  of  Ken- 
tucky superadded.  The  reader  is  referred,  for  further 
information,  to  some  Remarks  on  Davidson's  History 
OF  THE  Church  in  Kentucky,  to  be  found  at  the 
close  of  this  volume. 

It  must  be  admitted,  however,  as  opposition  to  the 
revival  and  its  measures  constituted  the  grand  difficulty, 
and  the  young  men  had  been  very  active  instruments  in 
promoting  that  good  work,  but  very  little  was  intended 
or  attempted  to  be  done,  which  had  not  a  nea^rer  or 
more  remote  bearing  upon  them. 

The  members  of  the  Commission  present  were  Rev. 
Messrs.  Lyle,  Cameron,  Howe,  Rennals,  Stuart,  Joshua 
L.  Wilson,  Cleland,  and  Tull,  with  the  elders  McDowell, 
Brank,  Allen,  Gaines,  and  Wallace. 


134  INTEGRITY    OF    PRINCIPLK 

The  revival  ministers  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  pres- 
ent were  Rev.  Messrs.  James  McGready,  William  Hodge, 
William  McGee,  Samuel  McAdow,  John  Rankin,  James 
Hawe,  (formerly  a  Methodist,  admitted  by  the  Transyl- 
vania Presbytery,)  Finis  Ewing,  Samuel  King,  Thomas 
Nelson,  and  Samuel  Hodge,  the  last  four  having  been 
ordained  during  the  progress  of  the  revival. 

Neither  Smith  nor  Davidson  has  stated,  -whether  the 
anti-revival  ministers  belonging  to  Cumberland  Presby- 
tery were  present  or  not.  When  it  is  remembered  that 
all  the  members  were  cited  to  attend,  that  the  Commis- 
sion were  appointed  "  to  adjudicate  on  their  Presbyterial 
proceedings,"  and  that  there  is  nothing  in  the  warrant 
under  which  they  acted,  which  can  by  any  possible 
construction,  whether  fair  or  forced,  authorize  any  kind 
of  trial  or  dealing  whatever,  with  individuals,  it  may 
be  fairly  inferred  that  both  the  parties  felt  bound  to 
attend.  It  is  certain  that  Craighead  was  present ;  for 
he  was  there  tried  for  holding  certain  errors  in  doctrine, 
and  acquitted.  It  is  presumable  that  the  others  also 
were  present. 

Of  the  young  men  under  the  care  of  Cumberland 
Presbytery,  there  attended  Messrs.  Hugh  Kirkpatrick, 
James  B.  Porter,  Robert  Bell,  David  Foster,  and  Thos. 
Calhoun  who  were  licentiates,  also  Robert  Guthrie, 
Samuel  K.  Blythe,  and  Samuel  Donnell,  who  were 
candidates.  It  may  be  asked,  why  so  many  of  the 
young  men  came  to  this  meeting  ;  since  it  is  evident 
from  the  action  of  the  Synod  as  well  as  the  warrant 
given  to  the  Commission,  they  were  not  cited  to  attend  ? 


SURVIVES   THE   STORM.  135 

As  the  followers  of  Christ  and  friends  of  humanity, 
they  would  naturally  feel  a  deep  interest  in  an  assem- 
blage of  great  and  good  men,  whose  proceedings  might 
have  a  bearing,  whether  for  good  or  evil,  upon  the 
blessed  work  of  the  Holy  S])int  then  prevailing  in  the 
country  and  extending  in  all  directions.  If  they  antici- 
pated good  from  the  meeting,  they  doubtless  esteemed 
it  a  high  privilege  to  see,  hear,  and  unite  their  humble 
prayers  with  those  venerable  members  of  the  Commis- 
sion, with  whose  characters  they  had  been  accustomed 
to  associate  all  that  is  excellent  and  praise-worthy,  and 
whose  names  they  had  been  taught  to  pronounce  with 
filial  reverence.  If  they  suspected  any  evil  results,  or 
any  affliction  about  to  befall  their  spiritual  fathers,  whose 
love  had  cherished,  and  whose  counsels  had  guided 
them  ;  they  might  desire  to  be  present  to  extend  what 
sympathy  and  succor  they  were  able  to  afford.  * 

It  is  true  the  Council's  letter  of  remonstrance  after- 
wards, detailing  the  Commission's  proceedings,  says, 
"  Ministers  and  exhorters  were  all  ordered  to  appear 

*  Rev.  Thomas  Calhoun,  who  was  one  of  these  young  men,  says 
he  received  a  citation  to  attend,  from  Mr.  Lyle  ;  and  he  understood 
that  many  others  received  citations  from  the  same.  Whence  did  Mr. 
Lyle  derive  his  authority  to  issue  these  citations  ?  Certainly  not 
from  the  "  warrant  "  under  which  the  Commission  were  empowered 
to  act.  He  must  have  acted  on  his  own  authority.  It  cannot  be 
possible  that  the  Synod  gave  Mr.  Lyle  any  secret  instructions  which 
they  were  afraid  or  ashamed  to  record  on  their  minutes.  Such  a 
supposition  would  betray  something  worse  than  Jesuitism.  Mr. 
Lyle  acted  however,  and  the  conclusion  is  inevitable  that  he  took 
upon  himself  this  responsibility,  after  having  arranged  the  mode  of 
procedure  with  the  young  men. 


136  INTEGRITY    OF   PRINCIPLE 

at  their  bar."  The  members  of  Presbytery  were 
certainly  cited  by  the  warrant  of  the  Commission.  It 
is  more  than  probable,  however,  that  the  young  men 
were  not  called  for  until  after  the  meeting  was  organized, 
and  it  had  been  ascertained  that  several  of  them  were 
present.  Therefore  the  Council's  phrase  "  ordered  to 
appear,"  will  apply  equally  to  the  original  citation  of  the 
Presbyters,  and  the  subsequent  call  for  the  young  men. 
The  first  business  of  the  Commission  was  the  case  of 
Mr.  Hawe,  which,  so  far  as  may  be  proper  for  this 
work,  will  be  noticed  in  another  place.  The  next  was 
the  licensures  and  ordinations  by  Cumberland  Presbytery 
which  appear  to  have  occupied  three  days.  In  fact, 
this  was  the  principle  business  of  the  meeting,  and  the 
main  object  of  its  appointment  by  the  Synod.  Now 
commence  the  series  of  those  tyrannical  proceedings, 
never  before  nor  since  known  in  the  history  of  Presby- 
terianism,  and  without  the  shadow  of  authority  in  its 
form  of  government.  The  Commission  first  resolved  to 
examine  all  those  who  had  been  licensed  and  ordained 
by  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  in  order  to  determine 
whether  they  were  classically  and  doctrinally  qualified 
for  their  duties.  There  is  often  force  in  a  figure,  be  it 
ever  so  homely.  And  so  novel  and  unreasonable  a 
demand  must  carry  with  it  all  the  weight  of  absurdities 
which  must  necessarily  attach  to  the  mechanic  who 
should  go  to  the  shop  of  his  neighbor,  resolved  to 
examine  the  journeymen  and  apprentices  there  employed 
to  satisfy  himself  with  regard  to  their  fitness  for  the 
exercise  of  their  trade. 


SURVIVES   THE    STORM.  137 

This  presumptuous  intermeddling,  this  unlawful  en- 
croachment upon  the  rights  of  the  Presbytery,  was 
treated  Avith  more  respect  than  it  deserved,  inasmuch 
as  it  involved  a  question  too  absurd  to  be  debateable 
among  sound  Presbyterians.  The  members  of  Presby- 
tery, however,  in  a  dignified  but  decided  manner, 
refused  submission  to  the  Commission's  insolent  reso- 
lution, correctly  arguing  that  the  constitution  had 
assigned  to  them  the  duty  as  Presbyters,  and  guaranteed 
to  them  the  right  exclusively  to  examine  and  license  these 
men  for  the  holy  ministry ;  also  to  ordain,  install,  and 
judge  ministers  ;  that  the  Commission  had  not,  except 
in  the  Presbyteries  to  which  they  severally  belonged, 
nor  could  the  Synod  give  them  any  such  right  of 
control  over  the  ordained  ministers,  licentiates,  and 
candidates  of  this  Presbytery.  Consequently  they 
concluded  that  submission  to  so  arbitrary  and  unjust  a 
demand,  would  be  nothing  less  than  a  betrayal  of  the 
sacred  trust  which  God  and  the  constitution  of  the 
church  had  committed  to  their  hands. 

This  refusal  produced  much  altercation.  Well  might 
a  Jioly  indignation  have  been  stirred  in  the  minds  of 
these  men  of  God,  when  required  to  do  what  their 
consciences  forbade ;  but  neither  the  earnest  exhortations 
nor  solemn  adjurations  of  a  whole  day  could  induce 
them  to  become  recreant  to  their  trust.  Mr.  Ewing, 
being  one  of  the  young  men,  though  the  first  ordained 
and  most  distinguished  among  them,  took  but  little  part 
in  the  argument,  leaving  the  cause  principally  to  his 
fathers  in  the  ministry.     This  was  very  prudent  and 


138  INTEGRITY    OF    PRINCIPLE 

proper,  seeing  he  was  one  of  those  said  to  have  been 
*'  irregularly  licensed  and  ordained."  Mr.  Hutchinson 
■who  was  present,  says  he  made  occasional  remarks,  the 
cogency  and  sarcasm  of  which  produced  now  and  then 
a  little  confusion  of  faces.  Whatever  may  have  been 
the  nature  of  his  remarks,  their  force  must  have  been 
felt,  since  from  that  day  to  this,  ^^Finis  Ewing  was  the 
spokesman  of  the  young  nien,''^  has  become  a  kind  of 
classical  and  current  expression,  and  is  found  in  Dr. 
Davidson's  history.* 

The  Commission  finding  they  could  not  prevail  with 
the  members  of  the  Presbytery,  had  recourse  to  a 
resolution,  solemnly  adjuring  the  young  men  to  come 
forward  and  submit  to  an  examination.  Did  they  think 
these  young  men  had  never  read  the  Confession,  and 
consequently  were  ignorant  of  the  rights  secured  to 
themselves  and  their  Presbytery  ?  Did  they  suppose 
those  who  had  promised  to  submit  themselves  in  the 
Lord,  to  the  government  of  their  Presbytery,  would 
yield  what  their  Presbytery,  for  conscience  sake,  had 
just  refused  ?  Could  they  imagine,  while  the  storm  of 
ecclesiastical  severity  was  brooding  over  all,  that  the 
sons  would  escape  its  lesser  threatenings,  by  exposing 
their  fathers  to  its  greater  violence  ?  Did  they  suppose 
these  individuals  had  no  understanding  to  direct,  no 
principles  to  regulate,  no  consciences  to  govern  their 
decision  ?  They  may  have  supposed  that  many  of  those 
bashful,  blushing  youths  who  would  tremble  at  the  frown, 
and  become  bathed  in  tears  at  the  rebuke  of  a  Commis- 

*  Page  238. 


SURVIVES    THE    STORM.  139 

sioner,  had  not  the  moral  courage  to  resist  the  mandate 
of  those  who  said  to  them,  "  we  have  come,  clothed  with 
full  Synodical  powers ;  you  are  arraigned  at  our  bar ; 
jou  must  submit. 

The  two  parties  were  now  in  the  position  of  De  Vio 
Cajetan  and  Luther,  when  the  former  after  his  truly 
mortifying  defeat  by  the  latter,  could  only  clamor, 
"  retract !  retract !  "  So  the  Commission,  after  their 
no  less  mortifying  defeat  in  the  argument  on  Presbyterial 
rights  and  duti-es,  could  only  adjure  the  recusants  to 
"  submit !  "  But  they  had  mistaken  their  men.  They 
had  over  estimated  their  own  power  and  influence  ;  and 
undervalued  the  intelligence  of  men  who  well  knew  what 
rights  and  duties  were  assigned  by  the  constitution  of 
the  church.  They  understood  not  the  feelings  of  those 
who  beheved  themselves  "  called  of  God,"  as  was 
Aaron,  and  were  ready  to  cry,  with  the  Apostle,  "Woe 
is  me,  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel  1 "  They  seem  not 
to  have  appreciated  the  already  awakened  sympathies 
and  unshaken  resolutions  of  those  who  were  constantly 
witnessing  a  vast  extent  of  country  now  filled  or  rapidly 
filling  up  with  a  population,  destitute  of  the  precious 
gospel,  and  saying  to  them,  "  Come  over  into  Macedonia 
and  help  us." 

The  Commission  proceeded,  by  formal  resolution,  to 
adjure  the  majority  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  and  all 
the  young  men  licensed  and  ordained,  "  to  submit  to  the 
authority  which  God  has  established  in  his  church,  and 
with  which   this   Commission  is   clothed."  *     Indeed !  • 

*  Smith,  p  608 


140  INTEGRITY    OF   PBINCIPLE 

Did  they  imagine  they  were  clothed  with,  and  guided  by 

divine  authority,  when  they  adjured  men  to  do  what,  for 

conscience  sake,  they  felt  constrained  to  refuse  ?      A 

sentiment  is  found  in  a  note  on  page  238  of  Davidson's 

history  which,  notwithstanding  its  application  to  a  forced 

inference  there,  is  in  itself  too  excellent  and  applicable 

to  be  omitted  here.     It  is  as  follows :  "  The  wildest 

enthusiast  may  justify  himself  in  the  same  v^aj.     We 

have  no  promise  of  guidance  when  we  presumptuously 

leave  the  path  of  duty."     Had  the  Commission  acted 

upon  this  sentiment,  they  might  have  escaped  the  frowns 

of  posterity. 

When,  after  the  refusal  of  the  Presbytery,  the  young 

men  were  again  adjured  to  submit,  Rev.  Fmis  Ewing 

arose  and  said,  "  if  any  man  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask 

of  God.     We  therefore  request  that  we  be  permitted 

to  retire  to  ask  counsel  of  the  Most  High,  before  we 

give  our  answer."     Some  members  of  the  Commission 

strenuously  opposed  compliance  with  this  request.*   Were 

they  clothed  with  the  authority  of  God,  who  opposed 

asking  wisdom  of  God  ?     Were  they  under  the  divine 

*  The  -nriter  has  been  informed  by  several  persons  who  were  present, 
that  Mr.  Lyle  was  the  one  who  first  and  most  strenuously  opposed 
compliance.  But  after  he  was  oveiTuled  he  rrubmitted  with  great 
abundance  of  tears.  Samuel  K.  Blythe  said  they  were  hypocritical 
tears.  This  young  gentleman  was  a  brother  of  Kev.  James  Blythe, 
D.  D.  of  Lexington,  Ky.  He  was  sent  on  a  circuit  with  Thomas 
Calhoun,  seemed  devoted  to  the  work  and  was  useful.  Dr.  Blythe 
insisting,  if  his  younger  brother  was  to  be  a  preacher,  tliat  he  sliould 
be  educated,  offered  to  instruct  him.  Samuel  gladly  availed  himself 
of  this  kind  oifer,  and  took  up  his  abode  with  bis  brother.  Tiie 
Doctor  however  undertook  to  cure  him  of  ''the  exception  to  fatality 


SURVIVES    THE    STORM,  141 

guidance,  while  presumptuously  leaving  the  path  of 
duty  ?  One  of  the  members,  much  to  his  own  credit 
and  to  the  honor  of  our  holy  religion,  expostulated  on 
the  unreasonableness  of  this  opposition ;  and  the  request 
was  finally  granted. 

They  retired.  Mr.  Hutchinson,  who  was  present  and 
retired  at  the  same  time,  states  the  following. 

All  repaired  separately  and  alone  to  the  silent  grove, 
where  they  were  completely  out  of  sight  of  each  other, 
but  perhaps  not  entirely  out  of  hearing.  I  also  was 
alone  ;  while  some  were  on  my  right,  and  some  on  my 
left.  I  remember  for  a  few  minutes,  there  was  a  pro- 
found silence.  Then  faint  whispers  and  low  murmurs 
were  heard,  then  sighs.  Next  sounds  reached  my  ears, 
resembling  groanings,  which  cannot  be  uttered :  they 
seemed  like  the  suppressed  cries  of  men,  wrestHng  in  an 
agony  of  prayer.  Never  while  I  live,  can  I  forget  that 
scene.  It  did  seem  that  heaven  and  earth,  never  before 
nor  since,  came  so  near  each  other.  It  did  seem  that 
our  young  friends  had  approached  very,  very  near  to  a 
throne  of  grace,  and  were  almost  talking  aiid  counseling 

as  taught  in  the  Confession  of  Faith  of  the  Prcviyterian  church." 
Many  and  tedious  arguments  ensued.  The  DoctCM-  at  lengtli  became 
so  urgent  on  the  subject,  that  Samuel  told  him,  '■  if  the  Bible  taught 
the  doctrine  for  which  he  was  contending,  it  coul(i  not  be  a  revelation 
from  God.  .  And  if  he  should  find  there  adoctriue,  so  contradictory 
to  the  benevolence  of  God  and  the  law  revealed  foi  man's  government 
he  would  throw  away  the  book,  as  a  cunningly  cievised  fable."  Dr. 
Blythe  turned  to  Samuel  and  said,  "  I  would  ad.ise  you  to  go  back 
to  southern  Kentucky,  and  preach  under  the  ausjjices  of  old  father 
Hodge."  This  account  was  given  by  Samuel  E  Biyinw  himself,  to 
Rev.  Thomas  Calhoun  and  others. 


142  INTEGRITY  OF  PRINCIPLE 

face  to  face,  with  our  Father  in  heaven.  I  love  to  think 
of  that  time  and  that  place.  It  is  a  hallowed  place.  It 
will  ever  be  dear  to  memory.  I  had  all  along  acted  for 
the  revival  and  with  the  majority  of  the  Presbytery, 
because  I  felt  assured  they  were  right.  Seeing  a  Com- 
mission of  venerable  and  good  men  arrayed  in  opposition 
and  listening  to  their  solemn  appeals,  I  thought  it  neces- 
sary to  pray  submissively  and  inquire  solemnly  of  the 
Lord,  whether  we  all  might  not  have  been  wrong.  I 
was  glad  when  Mr.  Ewing  asked  this  privilege.  "Mj 
heart  was  afflicted ;  and  I  said,  now  0  Lord  lead  me 
and  guide  me.  And  my  feeling  truly  was,  thy  will  be 
done.  I  did  not  know  but  some  or  even  all  of  the  young 
men  might  submit.  My  prayer  was  that  the  Lord  might 
guide  them  to  this,  if  it  was  according  to  his  holy  will. 
I  thought,  "  the  Lord  reigns  ;"  and  then  how  I  did 
rejoice.  I  arose  strengthened  and  refreshed  from  my 
knees,  saying,  "  0  Lord,  I  will  praise  thee  :  though  thou 
wast  angry  with  us,  thine  anger  is  turned  uway,  and 
thou  comfortedest  us."  I  felt  that  God  would  carry  on 
his  glorious  work,  by  means  of  his  chosen  instruments, 
his  blessed  name  be  honored  and  precious  souls  saved  : 
and  this  was  enough.  As  I  came  out  of  the  woods,  I 
saw  the  young  men  were  repairing  to  the  house.  Mr. 
Ewing  came  out  of  the  thicket  near  my  path.  He  saw 
me  not.  With  head  erect,  his  eyes  were  fixed  on 
vacancy  or  cast  towards  heaven.  His  hands  were 
pressed  upon  his  bosom,  as  if  to  hold  a  heart  fi-om  break- 
ing. His  cheeks,  lately  so  blooming,  were  pale  as  death. 
His  step  was  slow  but  firm  ;  and  his  whole  air  and  manner 


SURVIVES  THE  STORM.  143 

Indicated  a  decision  and  energy  that  would  not  allow 
him  to  yield  to  the  injustice  of  men,  because  he  feared 
his  God.  I  saw  plainly  that  he  had  settled  the  question 
in  the  fear  of  God.  I  felt  assured  that  he  would  stand 
by  the  revival  and  the  young  men  ;  or  if  all  forsook 
him,  he  would  not  forsake  the  glorious  cause  to  which 
he  had  devoted  his  life,  and  in  which  his  labors  had  been 
so  signally  blessed.  Whatever  might  happen  I  rejoiced 
at  the  thought  that  we  would  certainly  have  at  least  one 
preacher  who  would  always  remain  true  to  God  and  his 
gracious  work ;  and  that  one  was  Finis  Ewing,  even  a 
host  in  himself,  God  blessing  him  as  in  times  past.  As 
he  passed  into  the  house,  I  thought  how  great  is  God, 
who  can  mould  vile  clay  into  so  noble  a  form,  after  his 
own  image  !  How  incomprehensible  but  adorable  must 
be  the  Infinite  Spirit,  who  can  breathe  upon  finite 
spirits  the  humility  to  yield  to  truth  and  duty,  but  the 
courage  to  withstand  all  the  opposition  thereto  which 
earth  and  hell  can  array. 

On  the  return  of  the  young  men  to  the  house,  the 
Moderator  of  the  Commission,  after  solemnly  adjuring 
them  to  submit  to  a  re-examination,  proceeded  to  put 
the  question  to  them  severally :  "  Do  you  submit,  or  not 
submit?"  Very  respectfully  but  decidedly  all  refused 
to  submit,  except  two,  who  requested  further  time  for 
consideration.  This  was  granted.  These  two,  however, 
on  being  called,  refused  to  submit.  All  assigned  sub- 
stantially the  same  reasons  :  "  That  they  believed  the 
Cumberland  Presbytery  was  a  regular  church  judicatory, 
and  competent  to  judge  of  the  faith  and  abilities  of  its 


144  INTEGRITY  OF  PRINCIPLE 

candidates.  That  they  themselves  had  not  been  charged 
with  heresy  or  immoraUty,  and  if  they  had,  the  Presby- 
tery would  have  been  the  proper  judicature  to  have 
called  them  to  account."  Mr.  Hutchinson  says  that 
Mr.  Ewing  stated  his  reasons  briefly,  but  so  tersely  and 
conclusively,  that  they  formed  an  argument  which 
seemed  irresistible,  and,  he  beUeves,  carried  conviction 
to  nearly  all  present  except  the  Commission. 

Davidson  gives  the  decision  at  length,  from  which  the 
following  extract  is  relevant  to  this  case  :  "  the  Commis- 
sion of  Synod  prohibit,  and  they  do  hereby  solemnly 
prohibit,  the  said  persons  from  exhorting,  preaching, 
and  administering  ordinances  in  consequences  of  any 
authority  which  they  have  obtained  from  the  Cumber- 
land Presbytery,  until  they  submit  to  our  jurisdiction, 
and  undergo  the  requisite  examination."  *  The  names 
of  "  the  said  persons  "  have  already  been  given  in  this 
chapter.  But  as  the  revival  was  extending  in  all  direc- 
tions, and  the  Commission  were  anxious  to  do  their  work 
thoroughly,  their  decision  thus  includes  and  cuts  off  the 
absent,  who  had  not  been  charged  with  wrong  nor  cited 
to  attend,  and  consequently  had  had  no  opportunity  to 
refuse  or  comply  with  their  demands. 

"And  it  is  further  resolved,  that  the  following  persons, 
viz  :  James  Farr,  Lawrence  RoUinson,  Robert  Houston, 
James  Crawford,  Reuben  Dooley,  Robert  Wilson,  Jamea 
Duggins,  Michael  Findley,  Ephraim  McLean,  John 
Hodge,  Alexander  Chapman,  William  McClure,  Stephen 
Clinton,    and   William    Moore,    who    are   now    absent, 

*  Page  239. 


SLRVIVES  THE  STORM.  145 

together  with  James  Hawe,  be  laid  under  the  same 
prohibition."  * 

The  reason  assigned  in  the  decision  for  this  prohibition 
is  because  "  it  being  proclaimed  by  common  fame  that 
the  majority  of  these  men  are  not  only  illiterate,  but 
erroneous  in  sentiment."  Nevertheless  all  whether 
present  or  absent,  whether  literate  or  illiterate,  were 
silenced.  Doubtless  Craighead,  Balch,  Bowman,  world- 
lings and  infidels  had  widely  proclaimed  all  this,  and  even 
more,  too  absurd  for  belief.  The  error  in  doctrine  was 
the  single  exception  to  fatality,  which  many  ministers 
have  been  permitted  to  make  on  their  licensure  and 
ordination :  It  was  nothing  new  or  strange  to  Presby- 
terianism.  Smith  notices  that  some  of  these  men  never 
had  been  licensed  to  preach ;  and  he  argues  that  their 
calling  upon  them  to  submit  to  examination  as  well  as 
their  prohibiting  them  to  preach  the  gospel  is  of  a  piece 
with  the  other  "  decisive  measures  "  of  that  body.f 

Did  ever  so  large  a  body  of  the  ministers  of  Jesus 
Christ,  in  the  space  of  nine  days,  commit  so  many 
intolerable  blunders,  and  not  only  violate  the  constitution 
of  the  church  to  which  they  belonged,  but  actually 
transcend  the  very  warrant  giving  them  power  to  act,  as 
well  as  prescribing  and  limiting  their  action  ?  If  modern 
history  furnishes  a  parallel  case,  it  will  probably  be 
found  only  in  the  acts  of  the  Spanish  Inquisition  or  the 
Scottish  Moderates,  so  called. 

That  the  reader  may  be  fully  convinced  that  the 
Commission's  business,  assigned  to  them  by  the  Synod 

•Dav.  Ui8.  pp.  239  and  240.  t  Note,  p.  609, 


146  INTEGRITY    OF   PRINCIPLE 

in  session,  was  alone  with  the  Presbytery,  and  that  no 
authority  whatever  was  given  them  to  call  individuals 
to  account  —  much  less  to  demand  the  re-examination 
of  ordained  ministers,  as  well  as  of  licentiates  and 
candidates  under  the  care  of  Presbjtery  —  the  warrant 
under  which  they  were  empowered  to  act,  and  by  which 
their  duties  were  defined,  is  here  submitted.  The 
reader  will  please  attentively  consider  it  in  the  note 
below.  *  It  need  only  be  said  that  the  very  same  men 
appear  a  good  deal  wiser,  more  consistent  and  less 
influenced  by  party  spirit,  when  acting  in  session  as  a 
Synod  than  when  acting  as  a  Commission.  They,  as  a 
Synod,  prescribed  the  business  for  themselves,  as  a 
Commission.  If,  in  their  latter  capacity,  an  increasing 
party  spirit  should  stimulate  them  to  exceed  and  over- 
reach the  authority  which  they  had  prescribed  to  them- 
selves, in  the  former,  they  knew  how  to  dispose  of  the 

*  On  motion,  resolved,  That  the  business  of  Cnmbei'land  Presby- 
tery be  again  taken  up.  After  considerable  deliberation,  it  was 
resolved,  that  Rev.  John  Lyle,  John  P.  Campbell,  Archibald  Came- 
ron, Joseph  P.  Howe,  Samuel  Rennals,  Robert  Stuart,  Joslma  L. 
Wilson,  Robert  Wilson,  Thomas  Cleland,  and  Isaac  TuU,  together 
with  Messrs.  William  McDowell,  Robert  Brank,  James  Allen,  James 
Henderson,  Richard  Gaines,  and  Andrew  Wallace,  ruling  elders,  or 
any  seven  ministers  of  them,  with  as  manyeldei-s  as  may  be  present, 
be  a  Commission,  vested  with  full  Synodical  power,  to  confer  with 
the  members  of  Cumberland  Presbytery,  and  adjudicate  on  their 
Presbyteriiil  proceedings,  which  appear  upon  the  minutes  of  said 
Presbytery,  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  and  taken  notice  of  by  the 
committee  appointed  by  Synod  to  examine  said  minutes ;  that  the 
said  Commission  meet  on  tlie  first  Tuesday  in  December  next,  at 
Gasper  meeting  house,  Logan  county,  in  the  bounds  of  said  Presby- 
tery, for  the  purpose  aforesaid.    That  notice  be  given  to  the  members 


SURVIVES    THE    STOKM.  147 

case,  and  escape  their  own  censure :  in  Synod  they 
would  act  as  the  judges  of  whatever  errors  they  might 
be  tempted  to  commit  in  a  Commission.  There  was  an 
advantage  in  havinfif  their  number  so  larf]:e,  consisting;  of 
the  strength  and  influence  of  the  Kentucky  Synod. 
And  of  their  advantage,  they  took  good  care  to  avail 
themselves.  For  when  the  General  Assembly  after- 
wards inflicted  a  mild  censure  upon  them,  by  pronouncing 
these  very  proceedings  "  at  least  of  questionable  regu- 
larity," and  recommending  a  review  and  a  mitigation 
of  the  sufferings  caused  by  them  ;  they  did  promptly 
review,  but  just  as  boldly  re-affirm.  Can  any  one 
believe  that  this  would  have  been  the  case,  if  the  judges 
themselves  had  not  been  the  very  persons  whose  pro- 
ceedings were  judged  ?  Prejudice  is  said  to  be  blind. 
Equally  so  is  party  spirit.  And  by  these  two  causes, 
the  mental  vision  of  even  good  men  is  liable  to  become 
blurred.     And  those  composing  this  Commission  have 

of  said  Presbyter)',  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod,  to  attend  on  the 
day  and  the  place  aforesaid,  so  that  a  full,  fair,  and  friendly  investi- 
gation may  take  place.  That  the  said  Commission  take  into 
consideration  and  decide  upon  a  letter  from  Rev.  Thomas  B.  Craig- 
head and  others,  and  an  appeal  from  the  judgment  of  said  Presbytery, 
by  certain  members  of  Shiloli  congregation,  and  that  the  Stated  Clerk 
of  Synod  furnish  the  Commission  aforesaid  with  the  papers  and 
documents  relative  to  the  whole  of  the  aforesaid  proceedings. 

The  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod,  together  with  Messrs.  Lyle,  Donald, 
and  Dickey  were  individually  directed  to  use  all  necessary  exertions 
in  citing  the  members  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  to  attend  the 
above  mentioned  meeting  of  the  Commission  of  Synod,  and  espe- 
cially that  written  citations  be  sent  by  the  Stated  Clerk  of  Synod 
to  the  Moderator  of  said  Presbytery,  and  to  Rev.  James  McGready. 
Minutes  of  Synod,  vol.  1,  pages  78-79,  as  given  by  Dr.  Davidson. 


148  INTEGRITY    OF   PKINCIPLE 

always  been  regarded  as  good  men ;  and  their  names 
must  ever  be  dear  to  piety  as  well  as  Presbyterianism. 
Had  they  been  bad  men,  or  men  of  equivocal  harmless- 
ness,  their  violation  of  the  constitution  of  the  church, 
their  transcendence,  as  a  Commission,  of  their  own 
warrant,  as  a  Synod,  and  their  persistance  in  re-affirm- 
ing and  justifying  the  same,  might  have  been  readily 
accounted  for.  But  what  is  to  be  said  on  the  admission 
of  their  indubitable  piety  ?  Let  any  sound  Presbyterian 
review  their  proceedings  from  beginning  to  end,  in  the 
light  and  love  of  evangelism,  and  find  for  their  conduct, 
if  he  can,  any  better  palHation  than  prejudice  and  party 
spirit. 

Probably  these  good  men  had  been  favored  with  but 
little  experience  in  revivals.  Certainly  they  had  never 
known  a  work  in  which  the  number  of  trophies  of  divine 
grace,  or  whose  power  and  extent  could  compare  with 
that  then  in  progress.  It  may  be  that  the  New  Light 
excitment  was  as  much  of  a  general  awakening  as  most 
of  them  had  ever  experienced ;  and  if  they  took  that  as 
a  specimen,  they  needed  not  the  efforts  of  Craighead, 
Balch  and  Bowman  to  set  their  faces  and  hearts  against 
awakenings  in  general.  They  failed  to  distinguish 
between  the  revival  of  precious  truth  and  a  revival  of 
obsolete  errors.  They  forgot  to  consider  that  the  former 
is  established  on  God's  holy  word,  while  the  latter  is 
built  up  only  on  the  speculations  and  delusions  of  men. 
Confounding  the  one  with  the  other,  and  believing  both 
equally  unsound  and  ephemeral,  they  doubtless  thought 
they  would  do  God  service  by  lending  a  hand  to  put  a 


SURVIVES    THE    STORM.  149 

speedy  end  to  their  lawless  existence.  Had  they 
remembered  that  there  is  truth  which  awakens  to 
sanctify,  as  well  as  error,  which  excites  only  to  deceive 
—  that  the  sure  word  of  prophecy  points  to  Heaven, 
while  its  perversion  leads  down  to  hell  —  their  action 
would  have  been  very  diflferent.  In  that  case  they 
might  have  foreseen  what  has  actually  come  to  pass. 
After  about  half  a  century,  the  New  Lights,  having 
dwindled  down  to  a  mere  handful,  in  order  to  save 
their  sect  from  a  lingering  death,  have  taken  refuge 
among  the  Campbellites  ;  while  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterians are  enjoying  more  revivals,  and  higher 
prosperity  than  any  other  branch  of  the  Presbyterian 
family. 

It  is  surely  a  little  remarkable  that  the  Commission, 
•who,  without  process  or  form  of  trial,  silenced  so  many 
of  the  revival  preachers  against  whom  no  charge  of 
heresy  or  immorality  had  ever  been  preferred,  acquitted 
Craighead,  an  inveterate  opposer  of  the  gracious  work, 
after  a  brief  trial  for  heresy.  They  doubtless  set  a 
higher  value  on  that  man  of  brilliant  talents,  that 
staunch  champion  of  orthodoxy  and  order,  than  ou 
dozens  of  such  men  as  Ewing,  King,  or  even  McGrcady 
and  Hodge.  But  even  then,  hundreds  of  judicious 
persons,  who  well  knew  all  the  men,  placed  a  very 
different  estimate  on  their  comparative  aptness  to  teach 
the  way  of  salvation  ;  and  many  would  have  preferred 
to  listen  to  the  discourses  of  the  weakest  of  those 
humble  preachers  and  exhorters  who  had  just  been 
silenced.     Time  has  justified  this  preference,  and  con- 


150  INTEGRITY    OF    PRINCIPLE,    ETC. 

vinced  the  western  churches  that  something  more  than 
profound  learning  and  brilliant  talents  must  be  necessary 
to  success  and  usefulness  in  the  ministry.  Dr.  Craig- 
head, though  once  so  great  a  favorite,  and  i\ovf  acquitted 
of  heresy,  from  this  time  became  an  eyesore,  and  con- 
tinued an  annoyance  to  the  Presbyterian  church  for 
nearly  twenty  years.  His  example,  and  especially  hia 
influence,  give  force  to  the  exhortation,  "  Let  no  man 
glory  in  men." 


CHAPTER  Xn. 

THE  COUNCIL  :  FROM  ITS  FORMATION  TO  ITS  DISSOLUTION. 

J'arty  triumph  —  Presumption  of  Craighead  —  Pelagianism  opposed  —  State  of  the 
country  —  Former  supplies  —  Cut  off  —  Lore  to  the  Church  —  Trust  in  God  — 
Present  supplies  —  Joy  of  the  People  —  Regard  for  Ewing  —  His  duties  —  Over- 
tures for  peace  — "  Divide  et  impera '» —  M-cGready  and  Ilodge  —  The  altemat- 
tive  —  Resolutions  —  Ewing,  King,  &c. —  Determinations  —  Painful  to  part  — 
Hodge's  regret  —  McGready's  counsel  —  Debate  —  Ewing  triumphs  over  Ilodge 
— Withdrawals  —  The  difficulty  —  What  it  was  not — What  it  really  was  — 
Necessary  to  Synod's  justification  —  Lyle's  tears — Embarrassment  —  Form 
into  a  Committee  —  To  meet  in  March. 

The  proceedings  in  relation  to  Cumberland  Presby- 
tery, and  some  other  business  of  minor  imj^ortance,  being 
concluded,  the  Commission  adjourned  on  the  11th  of 
December.  They  had  taken  upon  themselves  a  fearful 
responsibility  ;  and  their  acts  may  have  a  bearing  on  the 
•Church  of  God  to  the  end  of  time.  They  had  cited  five 
of  the  oldest  revival  ministers  to  appear  at  the  next 
Synod  to  answer  for  enterposing  to  prevent  the  re- 
-examination  of  the  young  men ;  and  they  had  cited  four 
•of  these  five  to  answer  to  the  charge  of  holding  certain 
■errors  in  doctrine.  They  had  summarily  silenced  four 
-ordained  ministers,  all  the  licentiates  and  candidates, 
whether  present  or  absent,  whether  learned  or  less 
learned,  for  not  submitting  themselves,  when  called  on, 
to  their  unprecedented  demand  for  re-examination.    They 


152  THE  COUNCIL  :    FROM  ITS  FORMATIOM 

had  acquitted  Craighead,*  whose  opposition  to  that  change 
from  nature  to  grace,  so  strenuously  insisted  on  by  the 
revival  party,  is  believed  to  have  been  the  grand  moving 
cause  of  all  these  difficulties. 

The  battle  had  been  fought  and  the  victory  won.  The 
revival  party  were  oppressed  and  humbled  to  the  dust ; 
while  the  anti-revivalists  had  gained  a  signal  triumph, 
not  only  by  the  censures  passed  upon  the  opposite  party 
but  by  the  acquittal  of  their  leader  and  head.  The  strife 
of  years  had  been  crowned  with  success  ;  and  the  real 
objects  of  party  spirit  had  arrived  at  their  final  consum- 
mation. Doubtless  they  flattered  themselves  that  this 
great  ado  about  religion,  and  this  noise  about  making 
sure  work  for  eternity,  would  now  cease,  as  a  matter  of 
course.  And  they  may  have  hoped  to  regain  that 
influence  and  popularity  which  they  had  enjoyed  before 
the  churches  and  the  country  became  awakened  from 
their  spiritual  dearth  and  deadness. 

Dr.  Craighead  must  have  contemplated  the  state  of 
affairs,  especially  his  late  success,  with  peculiar  self-com- 
placency. He  saw,  as  m.any  others  did,  his  great  influence 
with  the  wisest  and  best  men  belonging  to  the  Kentucky 
Synod ;  and  becoming  elated  with  the  fact,  he  was 
shortly  after  emboldened  to  broach  a  new  theory  which 

*  "  Mr.  Craighead  had  been  charged  by  common  fam-c  as  denying 
the  doctrines  of  election,  and  the  special  oi:)erations  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  in  conversion.  He  was  examined  on  these  points,  the  questions 
and  answers  being  in  writing,  and  his  answers  were  pronounced 
agreeable  to  the  Confession,  a  few  ambiguous  and  unsatisfactory 
expressions  excepted."     Dav.  His.  p.  242. 


TO  ITS  DISSOLUTION.  153 

appears  even  then  to  have  been  in  the  progress  of 
development.  Possessing  a  turn  of  mind,  rather  specu- 
lative than  logical,  and  probably  seeing  with  what  skill 
and  cogency  even  the  young  men,  whose  powers  he 
despised,  could  wield  arguments  against  fatahty,  he 
began  to  vacillate  between  opposing  theories,  until  he. 
became  mired  in  Pelagianism.  He  doubtless  thought 
his  high  standing  and  especially  his  unbounded  influence 
with  his  brethren,  would  give  his  new  fangled  system, 
when  enforced  by  his  powers  of  argument  and  eloquence, 
popularity  and  currency.  But  he  was  mistaken.  The 
good  ministers  of  Kentucky  Synod  could  be  induced  to 
follow  him  no  further.  They  loved  the  truth  too  well, 
as  they  understood  it.  What  though  he  and  his  party 
carried  them  triumphantly  through  their  late  contest 
against  the  revival  and  its  promoters  ?  That  had  been 
done  under  very  dififerent  circumstances  ;  the  contest 
itself  was  against  men  and  measures  ;  and  it  was  carried 
through  by  means  of  prejudice  and  party  spirit.  But 
this  Pelagian  system  proposed  to  wage  war  against  pre- 
cious truth  ;  and  the  existing  prejudice  and  party  spirit 
were  directly  in  opposition  to  that  error.  It  is  smooth 
sailing  on  a  flowing  stream ;  but  to  stem  the  current  or 
change  its  course  is  altogether  another  affair.  Besides 
great  and  good  men  will  ever  be  disposed  to  investigate 
the  doctrines  proposed  for  their  embracement,  calmly, 
dispassionately,  arid  in  the  light  of  God's  revelation ;  and 
it  is  not  easy  to  induce  them  to  take  poison,  even  though 
it  be  presented  in  a  gilded  cup.  With  the  same  enUght- 
ened  zeal,  love  of  truth,  and  tenacity  of  purpose  which 


154     THE  COUNCIL  :  FROM  ITS  FORMATION 

led  the  young  men  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  to  resist 
the  doctrine  of  fatality  which  they  thought  was  involved 
in  the  doctrine  of  eternal  election  and  reprobation,  did 
all  the  Commission  and  the  Synod  generally  afterwards 
oppose  Craighead's  Pelagianism.  They  withstood  him 
to  the  face,  because  he  was  to  be  blamed.  They 
triumphed.  They  suspended  and,  in  1811,  deposed 
him.  After  many  ineffectual  attempts  to  be  restored, 
he  obtained  his  object,  in  1824,  not  long  before  his 
death. 

But  after  the  silencing  of  all  the  young  men,  whether 
ordained,  licensed,  or  exhorters,  what  was  to  become  of 
the  country,  the  congregations,  the  destitute  neighbor- 
hoods, the  new  settlements  throughout  all  which  the 
revival  was  prevailing  —  or  to  use  Mr.  Hutchinson's 
graphic  figure  —  spreading  like  fire  in  the  dry  stubble  ? 
The  state  of  the  country  now,  was  not  such  as  it  was, 
when  McGready  began  to  preach  and  enforce  the  duty 
of  faith,  repentance,  and  regeneration ;  and  Balch 
opposed  and  ridiculed  these  doctrines.  Soon  after  the 
revival  commenced,  it  was  found  that  the  ministers 
could  not,  by  their  utmost  exertions,  supply  one-third 
of  the  field  already  white  for  the  harvest.  It  was  soon 
made  manifest,  too,  that  only  five  of  the  ministers  of 
the  Presbytery  within  whose  bounds  the  gracious  work 
prevailed,  were  willing  to  co-operate  and  aid  in  its 
promotion.  The  spiritual  wants  of  the  people,  and  the 
scarcity  of  religious  teachers,  led  to  the  selection,  first 
by  Transylvania,  and  afterwards  by  Cumberland  Pres- 
bytery, from  among  the  fruits  of  the  revival,  of  certain 


TO    ITS    DISSOLUTION.  .         155 

young  men  to  go  forth,  exhort  and  instruct  the  people 
in  the  way  of  salvation.  And  it  did  seem  that  God,  by 
his  providence  and  grace,  was  raising  up  a  supply  for 
the  destitutions  of  Zion.  For  as  the  good  work  extended, 
there  was  found  in  almost  every  congregation  one  or 
more  influential,  intelligent  and  pious  young  men,  who 
felt  impressed  with  the  duty  of  exercising  their  gifts  for 
the  edification  of  saints,  and  warning  of  sinners ;  and 
the  labors  of  some  of  these  had  already  been  signally 
blessed.  As  the  tide  of  immigration  flowed  into  the 
Mississippi  valley,  calls  for  the  preached  word  had 
become  more  loud  and  frequent,  and  the  number  of 
preachers  and  exhorters  had  increased.  Some  of  these 
had  purchased  to  themselves  a  good  degree ;  some 
having  been  licensed,  and  others  ordained. 

Now  the  congregations  were  greatly  multiplied,  and 
many  destitutions  supplied  by  the  labors  of  these  young 
itinerants,  who,  having  their  districts  assigned  them, 
were  accustomed  to  hold  one  or  more  meetings  every 
day.  But  these  supplies  were  now  all  to  be  cut  off,  the 
young  men  being  prohibited  from  preaching,  exhorting, 
and-  administering  the  ordinances.  While  through  a 
vast  extent  of  territory,  which  was  soon  to  constitute 
new  States,  the  people  of  numerous  congregations  and 
neighborhoods  were  looking  to  the  revival  ministers  for 
a  supply  of  that  spiritual  food  for  which  they  were 
hungering,  the  Commission  at  a  blow  had  reduced  the 
supplies  to  five  old  ministers,  the  same  which  the  revival 
had  found  in  the  field  years  before. 

What  were  these  ministers  to  do  ?     What  ought  they 


156  THE   COUNCIL :     FROM   ITS   FORMATION 

to  have  done  ?  Doubtless  many,  acquainted  with  the 
circumstances  in  relation  to  the  origin  of  the  Presby- 
terian and  some  other  churches,  on  their  reformation 
from  Popery,  will  decide  that  they  ought  immediately 
to  have  constituted  a  new  and  separate  Presbytery  ;  and 
that  the  guilt  of  schism  would  necessarily  have  attached 
to  the  body  whose  tyrannical  and  unconstitutional  pro- 
ceedings had  forced  them  to  this  justifiable  secession. 

But  they  ail  loved  the  Presbyterian  church ;  and  all 
their  sympathies  and  sentiments  relative  to  doctrines  — 
with  one  exception  —  and  government  centred  in  Pres- 
byterianism.  'They  could  not  bear  the  thought  of 
schism.  The  ties  which  bound  them  were  too  tender  to 
be  touched,  yet  too  strong  to  be  broken.  Secession 
from  a  body  so  long  loved  and  cherished,  was  out  of 
the  question.  They  remembered  that  "  the  Lord 
reigns,"  and  if  they  continued  to  order  their  cause 
aright  before  him,  he  would  incline  all  their  enemies  to 
be  at  peace  with  them.  He  would  provide  a  way  for 
their  return  to  the  Presbyterian  church  on  equitable 
principles ;  or  if  it  was  his  will  otherwise  to  dispose  of 
them,  his  providence  would  guide  their  way.  It  might 
be  the  purpose  of  a  righteous  Sovereign  to  try  them  in 
the  furnace  of  affliction,  to  humble  them  in  the  dust  of 
dependence,  to  bring  strength  out  of  their  weakness, 
and  glory  to  himself  out  of  their  degradation.  He 
might  vouchsafe  to  make  their  extremity  his  own 
opportunity  to  bless,  to  renew  their  spiritual  strength, 
enlarge  their  sphere  of  usefulness,  get  to  himself  a 
great  name,  subdue  the   hearts   of  the   people  by  his 


TO   ITS   DISSOLUTION.  157 

victorious  grace,  and  make  "  this  land  that  was  desolate 
become  like  the  garden  of  Eden."  For  "  Ave  have  this 
treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that  the  excellency  of  the 
power  may  be  of  God,  and  not  of  us." 

They  could  trust  God,  and  await  the  indications  of 
his  providence.  They  fully  believed  in  the  justice  of 
their  cause  and  deeply  felt  the  injustice  with  which  they 
had  been  treated.  They  could  not  doubt  their  griev- 
ances would  be  redressed,  at  all  events  by  the  General 
Assembly,  should  it  become  necessary  to  carry  their 
case  before  that  body.  They  entertained  hopes,  however, 
seeing  that  the  Commission's  proceedings  were  obviously 
unconstitutional,  and  the  body  appointing  them  contained 
many  excellent  men,  that  the  Kentucky  Synod  would 
in  a  calm  review  of  the  case,  retract  or  at  least  modify, 
in  a  manner  which  might  be  acceptable  and  restore 
peace,  without  the  sacrifice  of  principle.  Such  was  the 
calculation  of  unsophisticated  minds. 

They  forgot  that  when  so  large  a  body  of  men, 
clothed  with  ecclesiastical  power,  have,  in  the  heat  of 
excitement,  publicly  committed  themselves,  and  staked 
their  character  and  principles  upon  a  wrong  measure, 
they  almost  always  find  more  inducements  for  attempt- 
ing a  public  justification,  than  for  making  a  public 
recantation.  They  did  not  reflect  that  human  nature  is 
so  constituted,  that  it  is  incomparably  easier  for  a  body 
of  men  to  be  betrayed  by  prejudice,  passion,  and  party 
spirit  into  error,  than  for  the  same  individuals,  religiously 
reviewing  their  ill-advised  course,  to  make  due  repara- 
tion.    Numbers,  caught  in  the  same  dilemma,  strengthen 


158  THE    COUNCIL  :    FROM    ITS  FORMATION 

and  stimulate  one  another.  Tender  and  uneasy  con 
sciences  are  apt  to  be  smoothed  down,  and  smothered 
by  the  arguments  or  acrimony  of  those  who  are  less 
susceptible  of  compunctious  visitings.  Time  has  proved 
that  the  revival  ministers  had  no  reason  to  hope  for 
redi-ess  from  the  Kentucky  Synod,  but  has  made  their 
meekness  and  forbearance  suflSciently  manifest  to  be 
known  and  read  of  all  men. 

Noble-hearted,  pure-minded  men  !  being  reviled,  ye 
could  bless  ;  being  persecuted,  ye  could  suffer  it ;  being 
defamed,  ye  could  entreat.  Had  you  been  taught  in 
any  other  than  the  school  of  Him  "  who,  when  he  was 
reviled,  reviled  not  again  ;  "  it  would  have  been  other- 
wise. Yor  ardently  desired  peace  and  fellowship  even 
with  your  undisguised  persecutors,  that  you  might  serve 
your  God  acceptably,  your  generation  nobly.  Posterity 
will  honor  you.  The  church  of  God  in  after  ages  will 
bless  you,  knowing  that  yours  was  "  the  wisdom  that  is 
from  above,  first  pure,  then  peaceable,  gentle,  easy  to 
be  entreated,  full  of  mercy  and  good  fruits,  without 
partiality,  and  without  hypocrisy.  * 

But  in  view  of  the  spiritual  necessities  of  the  people, 
the  religious  state  of  the  country,  and  the  glorious  work 
then  in  progress,  growing  and  extending  every  day, 
what  v;as  to  be  done  ?  This  was  a  question  of  more 
than  life  or  death.  It  involved  all  that  is  dear  to  the 
hearts  of  Christian  men  and  ministers.  It  must  be  met 
and  fully  answered.  It  could  not  be  postponed.  It 
must  be  decided  immediately  ;  but  how  ?    It  could  only 

•  James  iil,  17. 


TO   ITS   DISSOLUTION.  159 

be  decided,  as  was  done  by  Peter  and  the  other  Apostles, 
in  a  similar  case  :  "  we  ought  to  obey  God  rather  than 
men." 

Accordingly,  after  mature  deliberation,  they  concluded 
as  far  as  possible  to  afford  to  the  people  the  usual  min- 
isterial supplies.  And  to  do  this  more  effectually  and 
systematically  they  resolved  to  form  themselves  into  a 
Council,  consisting  of  the  ministers,  elders,  and  repre- 
sentatives from  vacant  congregations,  who  had  all  along 
sympathized  and  acted  with  the  majority  of  Cumberland 
Presbytery.  This,  they  believed  to  be  a  duty  which 
God  required,  and  which  they  could  not  neglect.  But 
that  they  might  neither  give  offence  to  the  Kentucky 
Synod,  nor  excite  the  jealousy  of  their  opponents,  nor 
afford  occasion  to  the  tongue  of  slander  to  wound  the 
blessed  cause,  by  assailing  their  motives ;  they  agreed 
that  their  only  end  and  aim  should  be,  while  in  their 
present  unhappy  situation,  to  supply  the  church  and 
country  with  the  word  and  ordinances,  avoiding  all  acts 
which  properly  belonged  to  a  Presbytery.  More  than 
this  they  could  not  do,  without  displeasing  their  opposing 
brethren  and  their  party  ;  less  than  this  they  dared  not 
attempt,  lest  they  should  offend  their  divine  Master  and 
gracious  Lord. 

Convinced  that  the  Commission's  prohibitions  were 
not  only  palpably  illegal,  but  actually  null  and  void, 
they  resolved  to  disregard  them.  They  determined  to 
preach  the  gospel,  and  administer  the  ordinances  as 
heretofore  ;  and  they  encouraged  all  the  young  men  to 
exercise  their  respective  functions.     All  not  only  con- 


160  THE    COUNCIL  :     FROM    ITS    FORMATION 

sented.  but  rejoiced  in  being  permitted  to  do  so ;  and 
they  were  soon  dispatched  on  their  errands  of  love  and 
mercy,  to  the  destitute  and  perishing.  Wherever  they 
"went,  they  were  greeted  with  unusual  kindness,  their 
visits  were  hailed  with  almost  universal  joy ;  and  their 
labors  were  attended  with  abundant  blessings.  The 
members  of  all  the  churches,  except  the  few  who  had 
opposed  the  revival  from  the  first,  had  witnessed  at  a 
distance  the  rising  storm  ;  they  bad  trembled  in  view  of 
its  probable  effects  ;  but  when  those,  through  whose 
instrumentality,  so  many  of  them  had  learned  to  fear 
God  and  work  righteousness,  returned,  they  were  filled 
with  joy  almost  unbounded.  All  parts  of  the  country 
which  had  been  previously  visited  by  these  young  men, 
received  them  with  similar  demonstrations  of  approba- 
tion. Not  only  inquirers  and  Bible  readers  generally, 
but  in  many  instances,  worldlings  and  infidels  who  had 
at  first  opposed,  learning  the  state  of  affairs,  now  coun- 
tenanced and  encouraged  the  revival.  So  true  it  is, 
that  mankind  generally  abhor  unprovoked  tyranny 
and  injustice  ;  and  without  arguing  the  metaphysical 
question  of  "a  moral  sense ;^^  experience  proves  that 
the  "  sober  second  thought  "  of  an  enlightened  people, 
more  frequently  than  otherwise,  will  decide  in  favor  of 
the  right. 

Mr.  Ewing  had  labored  on  his  circuit  until  the  Pres- 
bytery next  preceding  the  meeting  of  the  Commission. 
His  indefatigable  zeal  and  extraordinary  success  had 
become  known  throughout  the  bounds  of  the  revival. 
j  Among  the  favorers  of  the  good  work,  he  had  become  a 


TO    ITS    DISSOLUTION.  161 

universal  favorite ;  among  its  opposers  an  object  of 
dread,  scarcely  less  perhaps  than  McGready  or  Hodge. 
Wherever  he  went,  he  seemed  to  carry  a  torch  of  divine 
light,  before  wiiich  fled  the  darkness  of  ignorance  and 
death-hke  insensibility.  Crowds  attended  his  ministra- 
tions. Multitudes  could  tell,  and  gratefully  did  tell,  of 
his  solemn  appeals,  his  affectionate  warnings,  his  tender 
sympathies  for  the  distressed,  his  sweet  gospel  encour- 
agements to  the  truly  penitent,  and  his  heart-felt  rejoic- 
ings with  those  whom  grace  had  delivered  from  the 
bondage  of  sin.  All  loved  him  for  his  works'  sake.  At 
last  his  talents  and  learning  began  to  be  duly  appre- 
ciated. Those  who  had  once  caviled  at  his  compara- 
tively slender  advantages  for  education,  were  now 
cautious  about  making  this  objection,  lest  a  comparison 
should  be  made,  not  altogether  creditable  to  themselves 
and  others  who  had  enjoyed  all  the  privileges  of  colle- 
giate training.  Even  then  many  intelligent  persons 
ranked  him  with  the  first  pulpit  orators  of  the  age  and 
country  in  which  he  labored. 

The  Presbytery  had  assigned  to  him  no  circuit,  but  a 
field  of  labor  similar  to  that  occupied  by  the  older  min- 
isters. There  were  however  these  differences  :  he  was 
a  younger  and  more  robust  man  ;  he  had  been  accus- 
tomed to  the  life  of  an  itinerant ;  his  wordly  circum- 
stances were  more  free  from  embarrassment ;  his  farm 
and  domestic  concerns  could  be  managed  in  his  absence, 
and  thus  enable  him  to  devote  his  whole  time  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry.  His  business  was,  with  other 
ordained  ministers,  to  conduct  the  sacramental  auJ 
14 


162  THE  COUNCIL  :    FROM  ITS  FORMATION 

camp  meetings,  to  attend  to  instruction  and  discipline 
in  the  many  vacancies,  exercise  a  general  superinten- 
dence over  the  affairs  of  the  various  circuits,  and  be  ready 
to  go  wherever  the  services  of  an  ordained  minister  were 
specially  needed.  These  and  other  duties  he  continued 
to  discharge  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  the  friends 
of  the  revival,  whether  in  his  own  or  other  churches, 
until  the  Council  was  dissolved,  and  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  church  constituted.  None  were,  none 
could  be  more  diligent  in  labor,  or  more  ready  to  sacri- 
fice comfort,  ease,  or  wordly  interest  for  the  welfare  of 
men  and  the  glory  of  God. 

It  would  seem  that  not  only  Mr.  Ewing,  but  the  other 
young  men  strictly  followed  the  Apostle's  instructions, 
and  could  say,  "  having  then  gifts,  differing  according 
to  the  grace  that  is  given  to  us,  whether  ministry,  let  us 
wait  on  our  ministering  :  or  he  that  teacheth,  on  teach- 
ing: or  he  that  exhorteth,  on  exhortation."  It  may 
also  be  truly  said,  "  they  were  kindly  affectioned  one  to 
another  with  brotherly  love  ;  in  honor  preferring  one 
another ;  .not  slothful  in  business ;  fervent  in  spirit ; 
serving  the  Lord  ;  rejoicing  in  hope  ;  patient  in  tribula- 
tion ;  continuing  instant  in  prayer."  * 

It  belongs  more  properly  to  the  ecclesiastical  historian 
to  detail  the  proceedings  of  the  Council.  To  the  pious 
reader  their  acts  will  present  interesting  topics  for 
contemplation,  particularly  their  several  overtures  for 
peace  and  reconciliation,  especially  with  the  Kentucky 
Synod.   That  body,  knowing  that  the  General  Assembly 

*Rom.  xU,  7-12, 


TO  ITS  DISSOLUTION.  163 

seriouslj  questioned  the  regularity  of  their  proceedings  ; 
that  other  denominations  as  well  as  the  world  in  general 
condemned  them  ;  beginning  perhaps  to  be  not  altogether 
satisfied  with  themselves  ;  and  at  the  same  time  aware 
that  thej  had  staked  their  own  and  the  church's  reputa- 
tion on  the  results,  seemed  exceedingly  anxious  to  justify 
themselves.  Under  the  impression  probably  that  the 
submission  of  the  recusants  to  the  demands  of  the  Com- 
mission would  give  a  kind  of  eclat  to  their  acts,  and  thus 
afford  a  better  justification  than  would  otherwise  ever  be 
obtained  ;  they  invited  "  friendly  conferences,"  with  a 
view  doubtless  of  drawing  some  to  that  submission  which 
all  had  repeatedly  refused.  The  Pope's  policy  always 
was,  and  still  is,  "  divide  et  impera : "  divide  and 
conquer. 

Messrs.  McGready  and  Hodge  sincerely  loved,  and 
had  grown  old  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  Their  joy 
at  the  ushering  in  of  the  great  revival,  and  their  desire 
to  advance  the  interests  of  that  church  and  of  precious 
souls,  had  led  to  the  adoption  of  measures  in  Presbytery, 
which  were  wise  and  lawful  under  the  circumstances,  but 
which  from  the  first  had  been  opposed  by  those  who  had 
also  opposed  the  revival  and  the  doctrine  of  regeneration, 
This  opposition  they  had  religiously  withstood,  until 
taking  advantage  of  certain  incidental  circumstances, 
it  had  now  gathered  strength  sufficient  to  reduce  them, 
by  overstrained  ecclesiastical  authority,  to  a  painful 
alternative:  either  of  submitting  to  injustice,  or  of 
separating  from  the  church  of  their  choice.  They  could 
humble  themselves  for  Christ  and  the  gospel's  sake,  to 


164  THE  COUNCIL  :    FROM  ITS  FORMATToSr 

the  injustice,  in  order  to  avoid  the  separation.  But  tliisy 
they  well  knew,  the  3'oung  men  could  not  do  ;  they 
ought  not.  Excepting,  as  they  had  done  from-  th«  first,, 
to  the  doctrine,  in  their  view  involving  fatality,  and 
refusing  to  betray  the  rights  of  Presbytery  to  lawless 
usurpation,  their  course  was  plain.  If  the  Kentucky 
Synod  would  not  indulge  their  conscientious  scruples, 
their  separation  would  become  not  only  necessary  but 
inevitable.  The  well-known  temperament  of  the  men 
composing  that  body  and  the  influence  of  their  heartless 
opponents  with  them,  left  to  Mr.  McGready  very  little 
hope,  after  the  Commission  had  done  their  doughty  work. 
Mr.  Hodge,  however,  hoping  against  hope,  continued  for 
years  to  stand  by  the  young  men  and  labor  in  the  blessed 
work  which  seemed  to  be  extending  erery  where,  and 
filling  the  churches  with  new  and  living  converts.  IMessrs. 
Ewing,  King,  and  the  young  men  generally,  being  stead- 
fast, unmoveable,  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  were  determined  at  all  events  never  to  abandon 
the  gi-acious  work  then  in  progress.  They  could  labor^ 
sacrifice,  and  suffer ;  but  one  thing  appeared  to  those 
true  hearts  utterly  impossible :  they  eould  not  desert 
the  revival  which,  under  God,  had  done  so  much  for 
themselves,  and  enabled  them  to  do  so  much  for  their 
fellow  men.  Comphance  with  the  terms,  insisted  on  by 
Kentucky  Synod  and  Transylvania  Presbytery,  in  all 
their  conferences, —  even  after  the  General  Assembly 
had  been  surprised  into  an  unrighteous  decision  in  their 
case  —  was  not  to  be  thought  of  for  a  sing-le  moment. 
This  appeared  to  them  no  leas  than  the  abandonment  of 


TO  ITS  DISSOLUTION.  165 

the  Lord's  precious  cause,  the  immortal  souls  for  whom 
they  were  laboring,  and  the  sacred  principles  they  had 
adopted  on  entering  the  ministry ;  and  for  the  sake  of 
which  they  had  forsaken  all  else,  and  consecrated  them- 
selves to  the  service  of  God  and  his  Church. 

These  views  and  determinations  wei'e  no  secret  to 
Messrs.  McGready  and  Hodge.  But  in  whatever 
light  they  may  have  considered  them,  they  appear  to 
have  had  too  much  respect  for  the  rights  of  conscience 
to  justify  the  Synod's  strenuous  demand,  and  too  high 
regard  for  the  young  men's  honest  scruples,  to  condemn 
their  positive  refusal.  After  the  decision  of  the  General 
Assembly,  in  1809,  they  more  especially  apprehended 
a  separation  would  be  the  probable  result.  But  how 
could  they  bear  to  part  with  these,  their  sons  in  the 
gospel,  dearly  beloved  and  longed  for,  their  joy  and 
their  crown?  It  seemed  to  both  parties  almost  like 
tearing  the  chords  of  life  asunder.  They  had  wept, 
prayed,  labored,  sacrificed  and  suffered  together,  some 
of  them  for  many  years.  They  had  witnessed  the  power 
of  grace  to  conquer  the  most  stubborn  and  rebellious 
hearts.  They  had  seen  the  hypocrite  detected,  the 
backslider  reclaimed,  the  formalist  awakened,  the  scoffer 
made  to  weep,  the  swearer  to  pray,  the  drunkard  and 
gambler  abandon  the  haunt  of  revelry  for  the  house  of 
God,  the  despiser  exchange  infidelity  for  Christianity, 
and  many  thousands  of  moralists  seek  and  find  mercy 
through  the  blood  of  the  atonement.  They  had  seen  the 
revival,  appearing  first  in  Logan  county,  now  extending 
through  almost  all  the  settled  parts  of  the  IMississippi 


166        THE  council:  from  its  formation 

valley,  and  camp  meetings,  to  which  the  necessities  of 
a  new  country  had  given  rise,  now  being  held  in  many 
States,  old  as  well  as  new. 

There  is  abundant  reason  to  believe  that  Messrs 
McGready  and  Hodge,  continued  their  sympathies  and 
prayers  in  behalf  of  the  revival,  the  young  men  and  the 
church  which  they  constituted,  even  to  the  close  of  their 
lives.  After  their  withdrawal  from  the  Council  how- 
ever, though  they  continued  to  preach  to  their  people, 
they  had  to  lament  the  want  of  that  heavenly  unction 
and  glorious  success  which  attended  their  ministrations 
in  former  days.  This  statement  is  made  with  respect 
to  Mr.  McGready,  on  the  authority  of  Smith.*  With 
respect  to  Mr.  Hodge,  Mr.  Hutchinson  says,  "  several 
years  after  the  constitution  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church,  old  Father  Hodge  spent  a  few  days  with 
me.  We  had  much  conversation  about  the  affairs  of  the 
Council ;  and  he  distinctly  made  the  impression  on  my 
mind  that  he  really  regretted,  that  he  did  not  stand  up 
to  the  young  men,  and  go  along  with  the  revival." 
Shortly  before  his  death,  Mr.  McGready  said  to  some 
of  the  leading  members  of  his  congregation  —  he  having 
removed  to  take  charge  of  some  congregations  in 
Henderson,  on  the  Ohio  river —  "  Brethren,  when  I  am 
dead  and  gone,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  will  come 
among  you  and  occupy  this  field  ;  go  with  them  they 
are  the  people  of  God."  Davidsons  says,  "After  his 
decease  the  bulk  of  his  congregation  joined  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterians."  f 

•  p.  615.  t  p.  261     Smith  P.  636 


TO    ITS   DISSOLUTION.  167 

Mr.  McGready  did  not  meet  with  the  Council  after 
the  adjournment  of  the  Commission,  in  1805  ;  his 
removal  shortly  after  having  placed  him  at  a  distance 
from  the  scene  of  action  ;  but  he  did  not  return  to 
Transylvania  Presbytery,  until  1809.  Mr.  Hodge, 
however,  continued  to  be  a  leading  member  of  the 
Council  until  the  meeting  at  Shiloh,  in  October,  1809. 
At  a  previous  meeting,  the  Council  had  appointed  Rev. 
William  Hodge  and  Thomas  Donnel,  elder,  to  offer 
certain  terms  of  peace  and  reconciliation  ;  and  they  had 
resolved  "  that  unless  the  Synod  acceded  to  their 
propositions,  they  would  on  this  day  constitute  into  a 
Presbytery."  After  these  propositions  had  been  rejected, 
Mr.  Hodge  who  had  made  terms  of  reconciliation  for 
himself  and  others  who  might  think  proper  to  go  with 
him,  but  very  different  from  the  terms  offered  by  the 
Council,  argued  that  he  had  obtained  terms  substantially 
the  same.  This  led  to  a  protracted  debate,  involving  all 
the  points  of  difference,  especially  the  rights  of  Presby- 
tery and  the  doctrine  of  fatality.  Messrs.  Hodge  and 
Ewuig  were  the  principal  speakers.  Mr.  Hutchinson 
says,  "  if  Finis  Ewing  could  not  convince  Father  Hodge, 
he  certainly  confuted  him ;  and  he  can-ied  conviction  to 
the  minds  of  the  elders  and  representatives.  It  was 
acknowledged  generally,  not  only  that  he  had  truth  and 
reason  on  his  side,  but  that  he  was  quite  too  hard  for 
Mr.  Hodge  in  strength  and  clearness  of  argument." 

The  vote  of  the  Council  decided  this  question —  whe- 
ther the  Synod  had  compUed  with  their  propositions  — 
by  a  large  majority,  in  the  negative.  The  vote,  whether, 


168  THE  COUNCIL  ;    FROM  ITS  FORMATION 

according  to  the  resolution  of  the  last  Council,  they 
should  now  constitute  into  a  Presbytery,  was  taken  and 
decided  in  the  affirmative,  by  a  large  majority.  Where- 
upon, Rev.  Wm.  Hodge,  his  nephew  Samuel  Hodge,  and 
Thomas  Donnell,  elder,  withdrew.  The  Messrs.  Hodge, 
and  Thomas  Nelson  were  soon  restored  to  the  Transyl- 
vania Presbytery ;  the  licensure  and  ordination  of  the  two 
young  men  by  Cumberland  Presbytery,  being  recognized 
and  confirmed,  on  their  submitting  to  an  examination  on 
divinity.  Smith  argues,  as  the  literary  attainments  of 
Samuel  Hodge  were  inferior  to  those  of  most  of  the  young 
men  licensed  and  ordained  by  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
that  the  only  serious  difficulty  was  the  rejection  by  the 
members  of  the  Council,  of  what  they  deemed  fatality. 
With  this  opinion  the  writer  can  by  no  means  concur. 
It  seems  abundantly  evident  that  the  difficulty  was  not 
the  exception  to  fatality  :  else  why  have  the  Presby- 
terians, before  and  since,  admitted  so  many  to  the 
ministry  who  have  made  the  same  or  a  similar  exception  ? 
Nor  was  it  the  want  of  literary  qualifications  on  the  part 
of  a  majority  of  the  young  men,  as  common  fame  had 
reported :  else  why  were  all  silenced,  even  those  whose 
literary  qualifications  had  been  sustained,  on  their 
examination  by  Presbytery  ?  It  is  sufficient  to  instance 
the  case  of  the  licentiate,  James  B.  Porter.  The  grand 
difficulty  was,  in  the  judgment  of  the  biographer  —  and 
it  is  believed  the  world  and  posterity  will  sustain  the 
sentiment  —  that  the  Kentucky  Synod,  finding  that 
they  had  been  misled  by  Craighead,  Balch,  and  Bow- 
man, as  well  as  their  own  prejudice  and  party  spirit,  to 


TO  ITS  DISSOLUTION.  169 

the  adoption  of  unauthorized  measures  which  even  tho 
General  Assembly  had  censured,  as  being  "  at  least  of 
questionable  regularity,"  deemed  the  submission  of  the 
young  men  to  their  wrong  measures  indispensable  to 
the  justification  of  their  Commission's  proceedings. 
Knowing  that  Christendom  and  future  generations  would 
test  those  proceedings  by  the  light  of  God's  Avord  and 
the  discipline  of  the  church,  they  doubtless  thought  that 
submission  by  the  young  men  might  be  the  most  effectual 
means  of  smothering  any  critical  investigation  ;  and  if 
any  thing  could  save  them  from  the  dreaded  censures 
of  the  future  church-,  it  would  be  this  mode  of  healing 
the  difficulty.  Hence  submission,  nothing  less  than 
unqualified  submission,  was  in  all  cases  demanded,  with 
all  the  unchangeableness  of  the  laws  of  the  Modes  and 
Persians,  notwithstanding  this  had  been  again  and  again 
refused.  On  failing  to  obtain  this,  when  the  whole 
affair  was  about  to  meet  the  scrutiny  of  the  General 
Assembly,  it  is  not  wonderful  that  Mr.  Lyle,  "  bursting- 
into  tears,  made  a  most  impassioned  appeal,"  *  that  he 
"  wept  freely  as  he  portrayed  in  vivid  colors  the  proba- 
ble effects  of  the  discomforture  and  disgrace  of  " —  those 
whom  he  termed  "  the  friends  of  truth  and  order."  f 
Had  he  not  reason  to  dread  disgrace  ?  Had  he  not 
cause  for  tears  ?  Others  of  his  party  had  almost,  but 
not  quite,  as  much  cause  for  tears  as  he.  They  gained 
something  then  ;  but  they  lost  all  and  more,  in  1816, 
by  the  Assembly's  decision  in  the  case  of  the  Geneva 
Presbytery,  elsewhere  more  fully  noticed. 

♦  Dav.  ms.  p.  119.  t  lb.  p.  250. 

15 


170   THE  COUNCIL  T  FROM  ITS  FORMATION,  ETC. 

On  the  withdrawal  of  the  Messrs.  Hodge,  Messrs. 
Wm.  McGee,  Finis  Ewing,  and  Samuel  King,  were  the 
only  ordained  ministers  present.  Mr,  McAdow  was 
absent  on  account  of  ill  health.  Mr.  McGee  did  not 
feel  free  then  to  constitute  a  Presbytery.  This  placed 
the  Council  in  a  very  embarrassing  condition.  Mr. 
Hutchinson  says,  "  Mr.  Ewing  arose  and  said, '  brethren, 
we  seem  to  have  become  orphans,  left  to  take  care  of  our- 
selves. We  are  now  at  the  end  of  our  row.  If  God  do 
not  help  us,  we  are  in  a  sad  dilemma ;  and  this  glorious 
revival  which  God  has  owned  and  blessed,  must  suffer  or 
cease  altogether.  Still  let  us  labor  on  and  pray  without 
ceasing.'  "With  the  exception  of  a  few  hours  devoted  to 
rest,  we  spent  about  a  day  and  a  half  in  prayer  to  God, 
that  he  by  his  grace  would  enlighten,  and  by  his  provi- 
dence direct  us." 

"  The  Council,  together  with  all  the  licentiates  and 
candidates  present,  formed  a  committee,  and  entered 
into  a  free  conversation  on  the  subject  before  them ; 
when  it  was  fully  agreed  to,  that  each  ordained  minister, 
licentiate,  elder,  and  representative,  should  continue  in 
union,  and  use  their  injSuence  to  keep  the  societies 
in  union,  until  the  third  Friday  in  March  next,  and 
then  meet  at  the  Ridge  meeting  house.  After  which 
each  shall  be  released  from  the  bond,  unless  previous  to 
that  time  three  ordained  ministers  of  the  body  had 
constituted  a  Presbytery."  * 

•  Smith,  p.  637. 


CHAPTER  Xin, 
THE   MINISTER   AVITH   HIS   FAMILY. 

Communings  with  himself — With  a  Christian  brother  —  His  domestic  relations- 
Mrs.  Ewing  —  Her  character  —  A  dutiful  wife  —  A  nursing  mother  to  the 
church  —  Why  not  enjoy  home?  —  He  must  obey  Christ — Dissuasives  of 
worldly  wisdom  —  Infidelity  —  A  crisis  anticipated  —  The  sealing  ordinances  — 
How  to  be  proTided  —  By  co-laborers  —  Necessity  for  constituting  a  separate 
Presbytery. 

After  the  dissolution  of  the  Council,  and  the 
formation  of  the  Committee  at  Shiloh,  Mr.  Ewing 
returned  home  to  spend  some  days  with  his  family: 
a  longer  period  of  domestic  enjoyment  than  he  had 
indulged  in  for  many  years.  Here  he  had  leisure  to 
consider  the  state  of  affairs,  to  review  the  painful  past, 
and  forecast  the  probable  future.  From  Mrs.  Swing's 
brief  account  of  his  exercises  at  this  time,  it  is  quite 
probable  that  he  soliloquized  in  a  strain  much  like  the 
following : 

"  Who  am  I  ?  A  weak  and  helpless  worm,  deserving 
wrath  and  wretchedness  in  hell,  yet  assured  of  bliss 
and  glory  in  heaven  :  a  sinner  saved  by  grace.  I  do, 
I  will  love  the  Lord,  for  he  first  loved  me  ;  and  by  his 
stripes  I  am  healed.  I  can  never  love  and  serve  him 
enough,  nor  do  enough  for  his  cause,  his  glory,  and  the 
uouls  redeemed  by  his  blood.     Though  all  men  forsake 


172  THE   MIXISTEB    WITH    HIS    FAMILY. 

thee,  thou  Friend  of  sinners,  I  cannot,  and  through  thy 
grace  I  will  not. 

'•  But  -what  am  I  ?  A  most  unworthy  instrument, 
•whose  Aveak  eflforts  God  deigns  to  bless.  For  unto  me, 
who  am  less  than  the  least  of  all  saints,  is  this  grace 
given,  that  I  should  preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ.  As  a  minister  of  Christ,  I  must  serve  my 
generation  ;  as  a  steward  of  the  mystei-ies  of  God,  I 
must  be  found  faithful.  What  though  I  am  made  a 
spectacle  unto  the  world,  and  to  angels  and  to  men  ? 
What  though  I  have  become  a  fool  for  Christ's  sake, 
the  filth  of  the  world,  and  the  off-scouring  of  all  things 
unto  this  day  ?  All  this  is  nothing  compared  with  what 
my  Saviour  has  suffered  for  me  ;  and  for  my  reward  he 
has  promised  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight 
of  glory. 

"  Why  is  this  dispensation  of  the  gospel  committed  to 
me,  Avho  am  so  weak  and  unworthy  ;  while  there  are  so 
many  others  in  the  country,  more  gifted  and  learned, 
in  all  respects  better  qualified  for  usefulness,  if  God 
would  give  them  the  grace  ?  Why  did  not  the  great 
Shepherd  impress  and  deal  with  the  hearts  of  Craighead, 
Balch,  Bowman,  Donnell,  Templin,  and  all  the  members 
of  Kentucky  Synod  —  as  he  has  done  with  mine —  and 
constrain  them  all  to  go  forth  to  feed  the  poor  stray 
sheep  in  the  Avilderness,  and  break  the  bread  of  life  to 
the  perishing  thousands  ?  Their  advantages  had  been 
very  great,  mine  comparatively  little.  They  had  been 
educated  for  the  holy  ministry,  I  for  a  humbler  calling. 
They  had  been  accustomed  to  feed  the  church  of  God, 


THE  MINISTER  WITH  UIS  FAMILY.  173 

I  to  tillage  of  the  ground.  True,  this  gospel  must  be 
preached  in  all  the  world,  for  a  -witness.  But  -why  was 
the  necessity  laid  on  me '  and  a  few  precious  youths, 
some  of  them  as  little  prepared  as  I  am  ?  Verily  God 
hath  chosen  the  foolish  things  of  the  world  to  confound 
the  wise,  the  weak  to  confound  the  mighty.  And  we 
have  access  by  faith  into  this  grace  wherein  we  stand, 
and  rejoice  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God.  0  the  depth 
of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of  God  ! 
how  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  past 
finding  out !  This  is  certain :  he  is  a  holy  sovereign, 
and  has  a  right  to  employ  and  dispose  of  all  according 
to  his  will.  I  am  not  to  scrutinize  but  to  submit.  I 
must  not  question  but  obey.  For  by  the  grace  of  God, 
I  am  what  I  am." 

A  Christian  brother  called,  in  considerable  anxiety 
and  distress,  supposing  that  all  the  young  preachers  and 
exhorters  were  about  to  abandon  their  districrs,  leaving 
all  their  charges  destitute  ;  and  the  revival  of  course 
must  wane  and  finally  become  extinct. 

"  Have  we  not  labored  for  years,"  said  Mr.  Ewing, 
."in  defiance  of  ecclesiastical  prohibitions?  And  has 
ni)t  God  blessed  us  and  prospered  his  cause  more  and 
more,  adding  many  to  the  churches  of  such  as  shall  be 
saved  ?  My  brother,  I  have  enlisted,  not  for  a  few 
days,  nor  for  a  few  years,-  but  for  a  life-time.  I  am 
sure  all  the  young  men  feel  as  I  do.  And  now  because 
men  revile  us,  and  persecute  us,  and  say  all  manner  of 
evil  against  us  falsely  for  Christ's  sake,  shall  we  abandon 
his  precious  cause  ?     What  though  the  prohibitions  of 


174  THE  MINISTER  WITH  HIS  FAMILY. 

Kentucky  Synod  should  hang  over  us  forever,  shall  we 
not  obey  God  rather  than  men  ?  " 

"  Many  of  the  licentiates  ought  to  have  been  ordained 
and  several  candidates  licensed  years  ago :  and  they 
would  have  been,  if  they  had  been  under  the  care  of 
any  Presbytery,  instead  of  the  Council  who  had  resolved 
to  abstain  from  all  Presbyterial  acts.  That  those  who 
are  duly  qualified  may  be  set  apart  to  the  whole  work 
of  the  ministry,  connection  with  some  ecclesiastical  body 
will  be  necessary.  Now  how  would  a  union  with  the 
Methodists  or  the  Episcopalians  meet  the  views  of  the 
brethren  ?  " 

"  Not  at  all,"  said  Mr.  Ewing.  "  The  old  church 
insist  that  we  must  necessarily  be  Arminians,  because 
we  except  to  the  fatality  involved  in  the  doctrines  of 
eternal  election  and  reprobation.  But  both  the  churches 
you  speak  of  are  quite  too  Arminian  for  us,  notwith- 
standing the  articles  of  one  of  them  tells  a  different 
tale.  We  must  not  run  into  one  extreme  to  avoid  the 
other.  Besides,  we  believe  the  Presbyterian  the  only 
form  of  church  government  authorized  in  the  Bible, 
and  no  other  so  well  suited  to  our  republican  institutions. 
If  we  cannot  return  to  the  mother  church  without  the 
sacrifice  of  truth  and  a  good  conscience,  we  must  form 
a  separate  Presbytery." 

"  If  the  number  of  three  ordained  ministers  should 
not  see  it  to  be  their  duty  to  unite  in  forming  a  new 
Presbytery —  which  I  hope  and  pray  may  never  happen" 
—  what  then  will  you  do  ? " 

"  I  cannot  tell,"  said  Mr.  Ewing.     *'  The  Lord  will 


THE  MINISTER  WITH  HIS  FAMILY.  175 

provide  :  I  am  sure  of  that.  If  we  submissively  and 
trustingly  seek  counsel  of  him,  he  will  direct  us.  I 
cannot  doubt,  I  am  sure  he  is  in  this  glorious  work 
which  has  been  in  progress  for  so  many  years,  and  is 
still  extending  far  and  wide ;  he  will  conduct  it  in  his 
own  way ;  and  employ  instrumentalities  according  to 
his  sovereign  will.  He  has  all  wisdom  to  direct,  all 
power  over  the  hearts  of  men,  ail  grace  for  strengthen- 
ing his  people.  With  our  Saviour  at  the  helm,  our  frail 
bark  will  move  safely  on,  over  the  troubled  waters. 
When  it  pleases  him,  he  can  say,  '  Peace  be  still !  and 
there  shall  be  a  great  calm.'  And  we,  tempest-tossed 
on  hfe's  rough  sea,  afraid  of  every  opposing  wind,  trem- 
bling at  every  angry  billow,  will  anchor  safely  in  the 
haven  of  eternal  rest.  There  palms  of  victory,  crowns 
•of  glory,  and  sceptres  of  righteousness  await  us.  If  it 
18  so  delightful  to  worship  and  serve  our  divine  Master 
here,  what  rapturous  joy  will  fill  our  hearts,  when 
permitted  to  be  forever  before  the  throne  of  God,  and 
serve  him  day  and  night  in  his  temple  ?  " 

It  is  believed  that  few  men  are  susceptible  of  higher 
.enjoyment  of  home  and  in  the  family  circle  than  was 
Mr.  Ewing.  He  was  truly  an  affectionate  husband,  a 
tender  parent,  and  a  kind  master.  He  was  in  easy 
circumstances.  His  farm  was  very  productive :  his 
servants  industrious  and  skillful  in  its  management ;  and 
withal  so  dutiful  and  faithful  to  their  master,  mistress, 
and  their  children,  that  they  almost  might  be  said  to 
rival  the  best  servants  of  the  ancient  patriarchs.  His 
little  ones  were  interesting,  sprightly,  promising,  full  of 


176  THE  MINISTER  WITH  HIS  FAMILY. 

affection  to  their  parents,  and  constantly  developing  those 
amiable  precocities  which  fill  parental  hearts  with  jov, 
pride,  and  gratitude.  It  is  true,  his  almost  constant 
absence  from  home  had  devolved  their  mental  and  moral 
training  principally  on  their  mother.  But  th«  father 
v/t'll  knew  that  they  could  not  be  under  more  sldllful 
and  faithful  guidance. 

Mrs.  Ewing  was  a  woman  of  sound  judgment,  general 
intelligence  and  ardent  piety.  Her  fondness  for  reading, 
for  cultivated  society  and  the  ever  instructive  conversa- 
tion of  her  husband  had  stored  her  mind  with  an  amount 
of  useful  information  which  few  of  her  sex  and  age 
around  her  had  the  good  fortune  to  acquire.  In  the 
absence  of  her  husband,  her  time  was  divided  between 
domestic  cares  and  religious  reading.  Her  skill  in  farm- 
ing, managing  servants,  and  arranging  her  household 
concerns  accomplished  her  as  the  helpmate  of  a  man 
whose  whole  time  was  devoted  to  the  service  of  God  and 
the  Church.  And  when  her  husband  could  come  homo 
for  a  day  or  a  night,  whether  he  came  alone,  or  brought 
little  or  much  company  with  him  —  as  frequently  hap- 
pened —  her  joyful  recognition,  cordial  welcome,  and 
affable  manners  added  a  peculiar  charm  to  the  hospitality 
which  she  delighted  to  afford.  She  was  never  unpre- 
pared, never  taken  by  surprise,  but  always  ready  and 
njoiced  to  entertain  the  servants  and  followers  of  the 
Lord.  In  short,  Mrs,  Ewing  had  a  true  woman's  tact 
always  to  please  her  husband,  excite  the  admiration  af 
his  friends,  and  make  every  one  comfortable  and  happy 
around  her.      As  if  by  intuition,  she   anticipated  and 


THE  MINISTER  WITH  HIS  FAMILY.  177 

provided  for  the  wants  of  all  who  favored  her  with  their 
company. 

The  husband  and  the  wife  were  always  communicative, 
alwaj'S  free  in  the  interchange  of  their  thoughts  with 
each  other.  "Whatever  interested  one  could  be  no  secret 
to  the  other.  The  husband  was  accustomed  to  breathe 
forth  to  his  wife  all  his  thoughts  and  feelings,  his  doubts 
and  fears,  his  prospects  and  discouragements,  his  joys 
and  sorrows ;  and  her  soul  of  sympathy  made  them  all 
her  own.  His  interests,  friends,  religious  sentiments, 
church  relations,  and  plans  for  glorifying  God,  were  all 
hers  by  adoption  ;  and  she  could  have  none  besides. 
When  he  began  to  be  impressed  to  preach  the  gospel, 
she  not  only  acquiesced,  but  encouraged.  When  he 
was  appointed  to  a  circuit,  she  said,  "  go  where  duty 
calls."  When  his  labors  were  blessed,  she  rejoiced 
exceedingly.  When  he  was  persecuted  and  slandered, 
while  she  sorrowed  and  sympathized  with  him,  she  could 
rejoice  even  that  he  was  accounted  worthy  to  suffer  for 
Christ's  sake.  When  he  became  the  acknowledged 
spiritual  father  of  hundreds,  she  regarded  them  all  as 
dear  children  begotten  in  the  gospel.  When  he  and 
others  refused  submission  to  the  illegal  demands  of 
the  Commission,  she  said,  "  never  sacrifice  principle, 
even  for  peace."  When  he  and  others  felt  it  their 
duty,  regardless  of  prohibitions,  to  supply  the  destitute, 
she  said,  "  obey  God  rather  than  men."  When  he  and 
all  other  friends  of  this  great  awakening  saw  the  neces- 
sity of  constituting  an  independent  Presbytery,  in  order 
to  promote  the  gracious  work  and  protect  its  fruits,  she 


178  THE  MINISTER  WITH  HIS  FAMILY. 

resolved  to  become  a  nursing  mother  to  the  infant 
church,  to  be  born  in  this  revival  of  God's  work  and  bap- 
tized in  the  tears  of  his  devoted  worshipers.  Well  and 
faithfully  has  she  fulfilled  her  determination.  She  has 
been  permitted  to  live  long  enough  to  see  that  infant, 
growing  in  favor  with  God  and  man,  arriving  at  a  strength 
and  maturity  which  have  already  accomplished  great 
things,  and  promise  still  greater,  with  the  blessing  of 
God  upon  her,  and  his  glory  in  her  midst.  The  heart 
that  dictates  these  lines  is  fully  assured  from  the  char- 
acter and  sentiments  of  this  venerable  lady,  that,  if  she 
still  lingers  upon  earth,  though  in  full  view  of  heaven, 
she  prays  without  ceasing,  for  God's  blessing  ever  to 
rest  upon  the  church  with  which  she  has  so  long  sympa- 
thized, sacrificed,  and  sufiered. 

Why  was  Mr.  Ewing  required  to  deny  himself  the 
enjoyment  of  such  a  home  ?  Why  could  not  the  smiles 
of  a  beloved  wife,  the  endearments  of  sweetly  prattling 
babes  and  all  the  nameless  attractions  that  filled  the 
family  circle,  win  him  from  his  purpose,  and  detain 
him  a  worshiper  at  the  domestic  altar  ?  He  was  not 
insensible  of  his  great  and  peculiar  blessings ;  none 
could  better  know  how  to  appreciate  them  ;  and  he  was 
often  overpowered  with  a  sense  of  gratitude  to  the 
bountiful  Giver.  But  for  Christ  and  the  gospel's  sake, 
he  must  forego  them  all.     And  wherefore  ? 

Beyond  the  circle  of  his  home  joys  there  was  a  world 
lying  in  wickedness.  He  who  gave  himself  a  ransom 
for  all,  and  tasted  death  for  every  man,  had  said,  "  go 
preach  my  gospel "  —  he  dared  not  disobey  —  and  his 


THE  MINISTER   WITH   HIS   FAMILY.  179 

promise,  "lo  I  -will  be  with  you  alway,"  afforded  him 
sweet  encouragment.  He  had  experienced  its  fulfillment 
in  the  comforts  of  his  own  soul,  and  blessings  on  his 
labors.  He  always  enjoyed  most  of  his  Saviour's 
presence  when  most  engaged  in  his  delightful  service. 
There  was  a  "  wo  "  upon  him  if  he  "  preached  not  the 
gospel." 

The  world  may  wonder  at  the  constraints  of  a  called 
minister  of  Christ,  and  inquire  why  it  is  that  he  should 
forsake  house,  land,  wife  and  children,  when  he  might 
enjoy  all  in  the  quietude  and  comfort  of  a  pleasant 
home  ?  Be  it  known  that  it  is  "  for  the  kingdom  of 
God's  sake."  For  this  the  missionary  leaves  father, 
mother,  brothers,  and  sisters,  to  bear  the  lamp  of  life 
to  the  heathen  in  their  darkness  and  moral  death,  to 
tell  them  of  a  Saviour  who  died  to  redeem  them. 

The  wisdom  of  this  world,  perhaps,  might  have 
released  Mr.  Ewing  in  his  present  circumstances,  from 
obligations  of  the  kind,  and  justified  him  in  remaining 
with  his  family,  by  considerations  like  the  following: 
Had  he  not  for  many  years  denied  himself  the  comforts 
of  home,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  service  of  the 
church  ?  Had  he  not  been  the  instrument  of  hopefully 
converting  hundreds,  and  building  up  many  churches  ? 
Had  he  not  from  the  first  been  opposed,  persecuted  and 
slandered  by  five  of  the  conspicuous  ministers  of  his 
own  Presbytery,  who  had  brought  down  the  Commission 
of  Kentucky  Synod  to  silence  him  and  nearly  all  his 
co-laborers  in  the  revival  ?  Had  not  he  and  they  been 
encouraged   to   disregard   the  prohibition,  and  go  on 


180  THE   MINISTER   WITH   HIS   FAMILY. 

preaching  the  gospel  for  four  years,  and  this  too  by 
Messrs.  McGready  and  Hodge,  their  fathers  in  the 
ministry,  who  had  lately  deserted  him  and  them,  and 
returned  to  the  body  of  their  opponents  ?  Was  he 
not  then  in  a  position  which  would  neither  allow  him 
to  return  to  the  Presbyterian  church  nor  join  any 
other,  without  an  abandonment  of  long  cherished  prin- 
ciples, which  he  believed  fully  sustained  by  the  word  of 
God  ?  And,  notwithstanding  the  acknowledged  gifts 
and  extensive  usefulness  of  his  fellow  laborers  in  the 
revival,  had  not  their  ordination  been  withheld  for  years 
by  the  Council,  who  had  thought  proper  to  avoid 
Presbyterial  acts  ?  And  in  fact,  was  he  not  then  lefo 
without  a  sufficient  number  of  ordained  ministers  to 
form  a  separate  Presbytery  ?  Why  then  should  he 
continue  his  self-denying  and  arduous  labors,  with 
persecutions  for  his  only  reward  ? 

This  worldly  wisdom  may  be  effectually  put  to 
silence  by  more  fully  considering  our  Lord's  declaration 
which,  though  it  promises  in  this  world  "persecutions," 
adds  also,  "in  the  world  to  come,  eternal  life."  Shall 
^Ir.  Ewing  and  his  brethren  reject  the  first,  and  claim 
the  last  part  of  this  promise  ?  Verily,  no ;  the  first 
was  in  the  progress  of  its  fulfillment,  and  they  could 
anticipate  the  last  in  its  fullest  enjoyment. 

Infidelity  might  have  offered  reasons  for  Mr.  Ewinij's 
abandonment  of  the  revival,  and  even  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  by  suggestions  of  a  selfish  policy.  In  the 
bosom  of  his  family  he  could  enjoy  more  real  happiness 
than  elsewhere.     Respected  and  beloved  as  he  was  by 


\ 


THE   MINISTER   WITH   HIS   FAMILY.  181 

his  neighbors  and  friends,  he  could  occupy  among 
them  as  high  a  social  position  as  a  man  should  covet. 
By  attending  to  his  farm,  and  investing  its  proceeds 
in  the  vacant  lands  of  the  country,  as  many  persons 
did,  he  could  realize  as  splendid  a  fortune  for  his 
children  as  they  ought  to  desire.  But  if  he  looked 
beyond  pleasui'es  and  wealth,  and  aspired  to  honor 
and  distinction,  his  ambition  even  might  be  gratified. 
lie  was  still  in  the  prime  of  life.  Should  he  turn  his 
attention  to  the  law,  his  talents  might  soon  place  him  at 
the  head  of  the  bar.  Should  he  enter  the  political 
arena,  his  character  for  integrity,  his  popularity  among 
all  classes,  his  power  of  argument  in  debate,  his  elo- 
quence so  much  admired,  together  with  the  well  known 
influence  of  his  numerous  family  connections,  would 
insure  his  success.  And  who  can  say  that  he  might  not 
arise  to  equal  conspicuity  Avith  the  ablest  statesmen  ? 
But  by  pursuing  his  ministerial  labors  he  must  endure 
privation  without  recompense,  toil  without  reward, 
suffering  without  abatement,  anxiety  without  alleviation, 
and  the  loss  of  all  things  without  a  solitary  gain.  The 
most  that  he  could  promise  himself  was,  that  he  might 
become  the  leader  of  an  obscure  sect,  which  would  live 
while  enthusiasm  should  last,  but  die  and  be  forgotten 
when  reason  should  again  assert  dominion  over  the 
minds  of  men.  By  continuing  in  the  ministry,  and 
adhering  to  the  revival  he  would  sacrifice  all  things 
desirable,  for  a  system  which  philosophy  rejects,  and 
for  a  sect  which  wise  men  will  ere  long  abandon. 
Were  the  religion  of  Christ  the  reaUty  it  pretends  to 


182  THE   MINISTER   WITH  HIS   FAMILY. 

be,  and  the  Bible  a  divine  revelation,  all  who  preach 
the  gospel  are  doing  just  what  they  ought ;  all  who 
embrace  religion  should  make  others  the  partakers  of 
its  blessings,  and  for  this  no  labors,  sacrifices,  and 
sufferings  of  men  in  this  life  can  compare  with  the 
value  of  one  immortal  soul. 

These  suggestions 'of  infidelity  are  sufiiciently  rebuked 
by  showing  that  the  religion  of  Christ  is  the  sacred 
reality  which  it  professes  to  be,  and  the  Bible  is  a 
revelation  from  God.  Ample  proof  might  be  adduced, 
were  this  the  place  for  offering  it.  The  reward  of  the 
servants  of  Christ  is  not  in  this  world.  "  It  is  enough 
for  the  disciple  that  he  be  as  his  master,  and  the  servant 
as  his  Lord."  The  Captain  of  our  salvation  is  made 
perfect  through  sufferings  ;  and  we  are  made  partakers 
with  Christ's  sufferings.  We  must  be  willing  to  follow 
him,  as  well  through  evil,  as  good  report.  His  declara- 
tion is,  he  that  loveth  father,  mother,  son  or  daughter  — 
he  that  taketh  not  his  cross,  and  foUoweth  after  me  — 
is  not  worthy  of  me.  Mr.  Ewing  and  his  brethren 
acted  wisely  and  nobly  in  not  deserting  the  cause  of 
Christ  and  his  gracious  work,  for  worldly  honors  and 
emoluments. 

The  good  man,  while  he  fully  trusts  that  God's  grace 
will  be  sufficient  for  him,  and  his  providence  guide  and 
protect  him,  need  not  be  blind  to  existing  evils,  nor 
close  his  eyes  on  coming  events  which  cast  their  shadows 
before.  The  state  of  the  revival,  however  cheering  in 
its  practical  operations  and  results,  had  arrived  at  a 
fearful  crisis  with  regard  to  its  ecclesiastical  direction 


THE  MINISTER   WITH   HIS   FAMILY.  183 

and  management.  No  one  knew  this  better  than  Mr. 
Ewing ;  and  he  knew  too  that  the  time  was  not  far 
distant,  when  many  others  would  discover  what  he  saw  ; 
and  all  would  ultimately  know  it  to  their  grief  and 
lamentation,  unless  a  remedy  were  speedily  provided. 
This  crisis  was  no  less  than  the  apparent  impossibility, 
in  the  present  state  of  affairs,  of  supplying  the  congre- 
gations with  the  sealing  ordinances.  This  had  been  to 
some  extent  a  serious  difficulty,  ever  since  the  revival 
commenced  ;  but  now,  owing  to  the  diminished  number 
of  ordained  ministers,  who  still  took  part  in  the  revival, 
it  had  become  ten  fold  greater  than  it  was  at  first. 
Then  the  congregations  were  comparatively  few ;  and 
there  were  five  ordained  ministers  who  were  devoted  to 
the  good  work.  Now  the  revival  had  spread  over  a 
great  extent  of  territory  ;  the  congregations  had  greatly 
multiplied ;  and  not  more  than  two  —  himself  and  Rev. 
Samuel  King —  could  with  any  great  certainty  be 
relied  on  for  this  service.  McGready  and  Hodge  had 
become  reconciled  to  the  "  Old  Presbyterians,"  as  they 
were  now  called.  Rankin  had  apostatized  to  the  Shakers. 
McAdow  was  in  feeble  health.  McGee  had  not  yet  felt 
free  to  unite  in  constituting  a  separate  Presbytery,  not 
because  he  doubted  the  lawfulness  of  the  measure,  but 
because,  on  the  rejection  oi  fatality^  he  had  not  yet 
been  able  to  frame  a  system  satisfactory  to  his  own  mind. 
How  was  this  difficulty  to  be  surmounted  ?  How 
were  the  congregations  to  be  provided  with  the  ordi- 
nances of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper  ?  He  could 
not  tell.     He  must  inquire  of  the  Lord,  and  take  counsel 


184  THE   MINISTER    WITH   HIS    FAMILY. 

of  him.  Great  was  his  anxiety,  amounting  at  times  to 
anguish  of  spirit  and  agony  of  supplicatiun,  \;h\\e  in 
tins  state  of  suspense.  He  saw  plainly  that  the  difi&cuky 
must  be  overcome  in  some  way,  or  serious  consequences 
would  result :  tens  of  thousands  to  all  human  appearance 
AYOuld  be  left  destitute  of  the  sealing  ordinances.  How 
long  they  would  submit  to  the  privation,  he  could  not 
tell.  He  was  aware  that  most  of  the  earlier  converts 
could  not  connect  themselves  with  any  other  denomina- 
tion. Their  sentiments  and  their  partiahties  were  all 
with  the  revival  ministers  and  exhorters,  whom  they 
regarded  as  the  instruments  under  God  of  their  awaken- 
ing. He  knew  too  that  these  had  been  much  afflicted 
and  wounded  by  the  manner  in  which  these  good  men 
had  been  treated  by  the  Commission  of  Synod. 

But  he  knew  that  there  were  many  later  converts  — 
and  the  number  of  these  was  increasing  every  day  — 
of  whose  sentiments  and  feelings  he  was  not  so  well 
assured,  having  never  seen  them.  Young  converts  gene- 
rally, in  the  enjoyment  of  their  first  love  to  their  Saviour, 
are  desirous  of  testifying  to  his  dying  love  and  risen 
care,  and  partaking  of  the  symbols  of  his  broken  body 
and  shed  blood.  And  if  they  are  heads  of  families, 
they  will  prize  the  privilege  of  dedicating  their 
children  to  the  Lord  in  baptism.  Under  existing 
circumstances,  he  deemed  it  possible  to  afford  the 
sealing  ordinances  to  the  congregations,  only  to  a 
limited  extent.  Were  he  to  invite  from  Upper  Ken- 
tucky the  ministers  of  the  Synod,  their  compliance 
might  be  doubtful ;   and  even  if  they  were  to  come, 


THE  MINISTER  WITH  HIS  FAMILY.  185 

after  what  had  happened,  they  might  not  be  acceptable 
to  the  people.  The  friends  of  the  revival  had  always 
lived  in  great  harmony  with  all  Christians,  except  a  few 
of  the  opposing  party  and  the  Kentucky  Synod.  Were 
they  to  ask  aid  from  the  ministers  of  other  denominations, 
it  might  interrupt  this  harmony,  engender  a  proselyting 
spirit  of  which  there  had  been  a  few  manifestations, 
involve  the  societies  in  controversy,  and  seriously  injure 
the  revival. 

Mr.  Ewing  could  see  no  possible  way  of  affording  the 
sealing  ordinances  to  the  great  number  of  congregations, 
except  through  the  instrumentality  of  his  fellow  laborers. 
But  few  of  these  had  been  ordained.  He  was  too  sound 
a  Presbyterian  to  think  of  their  administering  the  ordi- 
nances, until  they  had  been  actually  ordained  to  the  work 
of  evangelists, "  by  prayer  and  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  " 
of  the  Presbytery.  He  was  fully  satisfied  that  several 
of  the  licentiates  were  well  qualified,  and  that  they 
would  have  been  ordained  years  before,  if  they  had  been 
under  the  care  of  a  Presbytery  instead  of  the  Council. 
And  there  were  several  promising  young  men,  laboring 
on  their  respective  circuits,  who  had  never  been  under 
the  care  of  any  Presbytery  ;  but  having  made  proof  of 
their  usefulness  in  the  revival  and  aptness  to  teach,  the 
Council  had  encouraged  them  to  exercise  their  gifts. 
This  they  had  done,  greatly  to  the  advancement  of  the 
revival  and,  it  is  universally  believed,  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom.  These  were  Alexander  Chapman,  William 
Harris,  Robert  Donnell,  WilUam  Barnett,  Wm.  Bum- 
pass,  Robert  McCorkle,  and  David  McLin.      The  first 


186  THE  MINISTER  WITH  HIS  FAMILY. 

named  had  been  a  candidate  under  Cumberland  Presby- 
tery. He  believed  that  most  of  these  -would  soon  be 
prepared  for  the  whole  work  of  the  ministry. 

But  how  were  those,  who  were  qualified,  to  obtain 
ordination  ?  A  Presbytery  must  be  constituted :  this 
was  manifest.  The  prospect  of  constituting  a  Presby- 
tery by  the  existing  ordained  ministers  was  rather 
gloomy.  The  exceedingly  great  and  precious  promises 
were  called  to  mind,  especially  those  in  behalf  of  the 
church.  The  result  was  a  firm  conviction,  that  the 
Lord  who  always  has  provided  for  his  church  would  do 
so  still.  He  could  bring  Hght  out  of  this  darkness ;  and 
in  the  midst  of  this  perplexity,  he  could  make  the  path 
of  duty  plain  before  his  people.  It  was  consoling  to 
trust  in  him ;  it  was  pleasant  to  labor  for  him  and  for 
souls  ;  it  was  encouraging  to  pray  unceasingly  for  the 
divine  direction. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

ORGANIZATION    OF    THE    CUMBERLAND    PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH. 

Critical  state  of  the  revival  —  Hopes  and  fears  of  its  friends  —  The  Committee  — 
Ewing  a  father  —  Severe  trials  —  Letter  to  Porter  —  Ordainers  —  Necessity  — 
Proposal  to  McAdow  —  Doubtful  question  —  Decided  —  Constitution — Impor* 
tant  results  —  Joseph's  brethren  and  Kentucky  Synod  —  The  purpose  of  God 
—  Apt  scholars  —  The  right  spirit  —  McLean  ordained  —  His  character  and 
death  —  Ewing'a  feelings — Joy  at  the  Exodus  —  Donnell's  remarks  —  Tho 
venerated  names — Explanation  —  Further  annoyances  —  Pastoral  letter  — 
Ewing'a  reply  —  Lowry's  statement. 

Mr.  Ewing  did  not  remain  long  at  home.  The  state 
of  the  revival  was  rather  critical,  and  might  grow  more 
80  every  day.  The  posture  of  ecclesiastical  affairs 
soon  became  generally  and  extensively  known,  and  the 
various  classes  of  community  were  affected  according 
to  their  prepossessions  or  prejudices  for  or  against  the 
work.  Infidels,  who  had  all  along  resisted  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  had  not  yet  submitted  to  the  truth,  thought 
th€  triumph  of  their  principles  at  hand.  Errorists  now 
sought  to  take  advantage  of  existing  difficulties,  hoping 
"  to  divide  the  spoil,"  and  gain  accessions  to  their 
respective  ranks.  Certain  religious  opposers  predicted 
a  speedy  return  to  false-named  orthodoxy  and  order. 
The  irreligious  hoped  the  reign  of  what  they  termed 
"  enthusiasm  "  was  about  to  end,  and  the  good  old  times 


188  ORGANISATION    OF   THE 

to  return,  when  men's  consciencea  would  no  longer  be 
disturbed. 

But  the  friends  of  the  revival,  whether  dispersed 
among  other  classes,  or  united  with  the  congregations, 
were  trembling  with  anxiety  and  alarm.  They  inquired 
when  will  this  disastrous  and  unpromising  state  of  affairs 
cease  ?  Is  there  to  be  no  organization,  uniting  the 
various  congregations  by  one  common  bond  ?  Will  this 
glorious  revival  come  to  an  end?  They  hoped  not; 
they  believed  not,  until  certain  of  their  children,  fi-iends 
and  neighbors,  for  whom  they  had  long  labored  and 
prayed,  "  nothing  doubting,"  had  been  converted.  They 
trusted  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  would  send  forth 
laborers  into  the  whitening  fields,  to  gather  in  the  fruits, 
Becuring  them  from  the  delusions  of  false  prophets  and 
the  devices  of  Satan.  They  still  hoped  that  they  would 
not  be  left  destitute  of  the  precious  word  and  ordinances. 
So  long  as  they  were  faithful  to  themselves,  their  God 
and  his  glorious  cause,  they  had  nothing  to  fear  from 
infidels,  errorists,  and  worldly  men.  From  their  opposera- 
they  feared  nothing;  and  even  from  the  Kentucky 
Synod,  they  hoped  nothing,  they  desired  nothing, 
further  than  to  be  permitted  to  worship  and  serve? 
their  God  unmolested.  They  kn^Wy  he  whose  right 
it  is  to  reign,  could  subdue  all  things  under  him. 
They  knew  the  Council  had  been  dissolved,  and  a 
Committee  formed,  composed  of  men  wha,  if  not  actualy 
the  first  fathers  of  the  gracious  work,  were  its  first 
fruits,  its  earliest  advocates,  its  ablest  promoters,  and 
most  successful  propagators  throughout  the  west.     To 


CUMBERLAND   PRESBYTERIAN   CIItJRCH.  189 

this  Committee  they  could  still  look  for  succor.  These 
were  the  men  "svho  had  instrumentally  awakened  them 
from  a  death-like  stupidity,  mourned,  wept,  and  prayed 
with  them,  while  sorrowing  for  sin ;  and  were  the  first  to 
instruct,  encourage,  and  rejoice  with  them,  when  they 
found  peace  in  beUeving.  These  faithful  shepherds 
would  not  leave  them  in  this  season  of  trial,  a  prey  to 
ravenous  wolves.  The  great  Shepherd,  who  had  taught 
them  and  set  them  over  the  flock,  would  never  suffer 
them  to  flee  as  hirelings  before  the  anathemas  of  false 
brethren,  or  the  frowns  of  ungodly  men.  Their  diffi- 
culties, however  distressing,  were  not  beyond  the 
control  of  that  power  who  maketh  all  things  work 
together  for  the  good  of  them  that  love  him.  Therefore 
they  could  trust  God  for  the  end,  and  look  to  the 
Committee  for  the  means  of  its  accomplishment. 

Mr.  Ewing  traveled  incessantly,  preaching  in  many 
congregations  and  destitute  neighborhoods  where  the 
good  work  was  progressing.  Many  sought  his  instruc- 
tions with  regard  to  spiritual  things  ;  and  all  looked  to 
him  for  counsel  in  the  existing  ecclesiastical  difficulties. 
He  scarcely  allowed  himself  rest,  by*  day  or  night. 
Others  might  relax  their  labors,  cares,  and  anxieties,  but 
he  could  not.  Interests  were  at  stake,  dearer  than  life, 
involving  nothing  less  than  the  glory  of  God,  the  success 
of  his  cause,  and  the  salvation  of  souls.  Wherever  he 
went,  the  people  welcomed  him  with  joy  and  gratitude. 
Long  had  they  been  accustomed  to  regard  him  as  their 
friend,  their  benefactor,  their  venerated  minister  and 
beloved  brother  in  Christ.     Now,  by  general  consent. 


190  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE 

they  were  disposed  to  adopt  him  as  their  counselor  and 
leader  in  whatever  measures  might  be  necessary  to 
promote  the  revival,  supply  the  congregations  and 
destitute  places  with  the  means  of  grace,  and  unite  the 
whole  in  a  common  bond  of  union.  By  a  concurrence 
of  circumstances  —  or  rather  by  the  workings  of  Provi- 
dence— he  had  now  come  to  be  looked  upon  as  the 
father  and  founder  of  a  revival  church. 

For  some  time  he  had  admitted  the  necessity  of  a 
separate  organization,  that  the  friends  of  the  revival 
might  be  delivered  from  the  oppressive  yoke  of  ecclesi- 
astical bondage  under  which  they  had  long  groaned. 
He  had  hoped  that  Mr.  McAdow  or  Mr.  McGee  would 
take  the  lead  in  this  great  enterprise  ;  but  now  he  could 
expect  from  these  excellent  men,  nothing  further  than 
approval,  co-operation  and  union.  The  health  of  one 
was  precarious  ;  and  the  spirits  of  both  seemed  some- 
what broken  by  long  years  of  opposition,  persecution, 
and  ecclesiastical  tyranny.  He  plainly  saw  that  the 
interests  of  the  revival,  its  friends  and  subjects  must  be 
hazarded,  or  he  himself  must  take  the  initiatory  steps 
for  constituting  a  separate  Presbytery :  that  all  must 
be  given  up  to  a  state  of  destitution  and  dangers  too 
painful  to  contemplate,  or  he  must  lead  the  way  to 
another  church.  He  was  not  a  man  to  delay,  where 
duty  called  ;  nor  to  hesitate,  when  conscience  urged. 
Assured  of  the  favor  of  heaven,  he  could  disregard  the 
reproaches  of  infidels,  the  animadversions  of  errorists, 
the  scoffs  of  the  wicked,  the  pity  of  the  world,  the 
disavowments  of  Kentucky  Synod,  and  if  need  be,  the 


CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  191 

repudiation  of  ill-informed  Presbyterianism.  In  obeying 
God  and  his  conscience,  he  feared  them  who  migrht 
assail  reputation,  as  little  as  he  did  them  who  can  kill 
the  body. 

This  was  the  season  of  Mr.  Ewing's  greatest  trials  as 
well  as  his  most  arduous  labors.  It  would  be  interesting 
to  pious  hearts  to  know  how  ho  deliberated  upon  so 
important  an  undertaking,  and  how  he  prayed  for  the 
.divine  enlightenment,  during  this  period.  He  who, 
when  standing  at  the  bar  of  a  tyrannical  Commission, 
said,  "  if  any  man  lack  wisdom,  let  him  ask  of  God,'* 
had  lost  neither  his  fervor  in  prayer  nor  faith  in  divine 
promises.  Doubtless  he  counseled  much  with  the  Father 
of  light.  But  he  counseled  and  corresponded  very 
extensively  with  intelligent  brethren.  One  letter,  in 
relation  to  the  contemplated  organization,  has  come  into 
the  hands  of  the  biographer,  and  is  here  given. 

To  Rev,  James  B.  Porter,  care  of  Thos.  Hudson. 

Dear  Brother  :  — My  head  aches ;  but  I  am  not  willing  longer 
to  defer  dropping  you  a  line.  I  would  be  glad  to  see  you ;  but  if  this 
cannot  be,  I  trust  you  will  write  to  me.  I  am  anxious  to  hear  how 
the  brethren  generally  stand  affected,  on  your  side  of  the  country, 
[Tennessee,]  with  respect  to  our  situation  in  church  affairs.  I  expect 
vou  feel  a  similar  anxiety  for  information  from  me.  I  will  inform 
you  that  I  have  just  visited  Livingstone  county  ;  and  the  brethren 
there  seem  bound  to  our  Committee,  by  a  stronger  cord,  if  possible, 
than  ever  before.  It  is  so  with  Casey's  creek,  Blooming  grove, 
Spring  creek,  Lebanon,  McAdow,  &c.  And  what  is  strange  to  tell. 
Gasper  river  congregation  have  unanimously  dissented  from  their 
preachers'  act;  and  all  declare  for  the  '•  Committee."  One  of  Mr. 
Nelson's  congregations  will  discontinue  him,  and  a  portion  of  the 
other,  if  he  joins  the  Synod.    Therefore,  on  the  whole  I  do  not 


192  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE 

know  more  than  nine  or  ten  families,  in  all  this  side  of  the  country, 
[Kentucky,]  who  will  be  induced  to  leave  their  brethren,  "  the  Com- 
mittee." For  my  own  part,  the  more  I  contemplate  the  thing,  the 
more  clear  I  see  my  way,  and  the  more  determined  I  am  "  not  again 
to  be  entangled  with  a  yoke  of  bondage."  Therefore,  I  feel  deter- 
mined, for  one,  to  go  into  a  constituted  state,  if  I  can  get  no  more 
than  one  ordained  preacher  to  join  me.  You  may  perhaps  be  startled 
at  this.  So  was  I,  when  I  first  looked  at  the  subject.  But  on  a 
closer  and  more  impartial  examination  of  my  aversion  to  such  a 
measure,  I  was  induced  to  believe  that  pride  and  tradition  were  the 
most  formidable  arguments  against  it.  I  therefore  was  induced  to 
give  up  the  point,  for  the  following  reasons:  1st.  Because  the 
necessities  of  the  church  demand  it.  2d.  Because  there  is  nothing 
in  God's  word  forbidding  it.  3d.  Because  no  reformed  church  in 
Christendom,  except  the  Presbyterian,  requires,  absolutely  and  under 
all  circumstances,  the  number  of  three  ordained  preachers  to  ordain 
one.    4  th.  Because  even  that  church  can  depart  from  their  rule,  one 

of  the  members  of  Synod   being  in  that  predicament :  J B . 

Therefore,  for  so  doing,  we  could  not  feel,  nor  justly  be,  reproached 
from  any  quarter.  I  think,  notwithstanding,  the  Presbyterian  rule 
on  this  subject  a  good  one  ;  and  I  would  not  consent  to  depart  from 
it  only  in  a  case  of  extreme  necessity.  Whether  we  will  be  necessi- 
tated to  do  so,  I  cannot  yet  tell,  for  I  have  not  heard  from  Mr 
McGee  nor  Mr.  McAdow. 

Brother  Porter,  if  you  will  not  think  it  discourteous,  I  will  ask  you 
a  question  on  which  I  wish  you  seriously  to  think :  whether  it  would 
most  wound  your  pride  or  your  conscience,  to  receive  ordination 
from  only  two  ministers  1 

I  cannot  think  in  my  soul  of  receding  and  swallowing  what  I  do 
not  believe,  nor  preach,  nor  ever  expect  to  preach.  Honesty  becomes 
gospel  ministers.  Yet  when  I  look  forward,  I  see  numerous  difficul- 
ties. But  when  I  look  again,  I  see  the  Lord  stronger  than  them 
all :  "  hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  us." 

A  number  of  praying  people  in  this  country  have  had  painful  and 
laborious  exercises  of  mind,  with  regard  to  tlie  present  state  of  our 
affairs  ;  some  of  whom  have  obtained  clear  views  and  become  hapj)y 
on  the  subject,  believing,  if  we  go  right  forward,  that  God  will  bless, 
own,  and  enlarge,  "  for  his  name's  sake."     Some  of  our  people  retain 


CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  193 

the  good  old  revival  spirit.    We  frequently  have  happy  social  meet- 
ings.    The  good  Lord  blesses  my  own  poor  soul  now  and  then. 

Do  not  fail  to  write  to  me.  Remember  me  tenderly  to  Mrs.  Porter, 
to  Mr.  Hudson,  lady  and  family.  Salute  brother  Thomas  Calhoun 
for  me.  I  would  write  to  him,  if  I  knew  where  to  direct  or  how  to 
convey  a  letter  to  his  neighborhood.  But  tell  him  I  love  him  as 
dearly  as  if  I  were  to  write  ten  sheets  to  him. 

Farewell.    Pray  for  me.  FINIS  EWING. 

December  6th,  1809. 

P.  S.  I  have  written  hastily,  but  remembered  I  was  writing  to  a 
brother ;  therefore  paid  very  little  attention  to  manner  or  form  :  the 
substance  is  mostly  what  I  now  care  for.  F.  E. 

This  letter  appears  to  have  been  directed  as  above, 
under  the  belief  that  Mr.  Porter  was  generally  absent 
from  home,  laboring  among  the  congregations,  as  had 
for  years  been  his  custom ;  and  that  Mr.  Hudson,  his 
father-in-law  would  best  know  how  to  send  it  to  him. 
It  will  be  recollected  that  Rev.  James  B.  Porter  was 
one  of  those  licentiates  whose  examination  on  languages 
&c.  had  been  sustained  by  his  Presbytery  ;  but  that  he 
had  been  prohibited  from  preaching  equally  with  all  the 
others,  by  the  Commission  of  Synod,  because  he  as  well 
as  they  refused  to  submit  to  the  unconstitutional  demand 
made  by  that  body  for  re-examination.  His  case,  even 
if  there  were  no  other,  would  unequivocally  prove,  that 
the  true  and  only  cause  of  the  separation  of  the  evan- 
gelical party  from  the  other  Church  was  the  refusal  of 
the  former  to  surrender  the  rights  of  Presbytery  to  the 
lawless  demand  of  a  Commission  of  the  latter. 

Mr.  Ewing  appears  to  have  been  aware  of  the  ordina- 
tion of  the  good  Farel  by  (Ecolampadius,  in  the  time  of 
the  reformation ;  of  Dr.  Coke  by  Mr.  Wesley,  and  of 


194  ORaANIZATION  OF  THE 

other  ordinations  by  less  than  three  ministers  ;  still  he 
esteems  the  Presbyterian  rule  too  important  to  be  lightly 
departed  from.  It  is  matter  of  thankfulness  that  Provi- 
dence so  overruled,  that  he  was  not  laid  under  so  painful 
a  necessity. 

Having  used  all  the  means  in  their  power  to  effect  a 
reconciliation  with  the  Kentucky  Synod,  the  ministers 
and  friends  of  the  revival  generally  became  fully  con- 
vinced that  nothing  less  would  avail  to  accomphsh  this, 
than  a  surrender  of  the  rights  of  Presbytery,  and  an 
unexceptionable  adoption  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  of 
the  Presbyterian  church.  As  honest  men,  the  ministers 
could  not  comply  with  these  demands  ;  and  as  conscien- 
tious men,  the  laymen  could  not  bear  to  see  their 
spiritual  guides  subjected  to  so  great  sin  and  degrada- 
tion. Hence  the  absolute  necessity  of  constituting  a 
Presbytery,  independent  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
was  clearly  seen  and  acknowledged.  The  congregations 
and  people  every  where  looked  to  Mr.  Ewing  to  take 
measures  to  effectuate  this  object.  They  knew  Mr. 
King,  who  enjoyed  their  fullest  confidence,  as  a  pure 
minded  man,  a  zealous  Christian  and  useful  minister, 
was  entirely  devoted  to  the  cause,  and  could  be  safely 
relied  on  to  assist.  And  they  could  not  doubt  but  Mr. 
McAdow  and  Mr.  McGee  who  had  labored  so  faithfully 
in  the  revival  and  suffered  so  much  from  its  opposers, 
would,  one  or  both,  now  unite  in  giving  permanency  to 
the  gracious  work,  consistency  to  its  fruits  and  stability 
to  a  new  organization  which  would  be  evangelical,  not 
merely  in  profession,  but  also  in  faith  and  practice. 


I 


CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  195 

Accordingly  the  subject  was  presented,  by  Messrs. 
Ewing  and  King,  in  company  with  Mr.  Ephraim  McLean, 
to  Mr.  McAdow,  at  his  own  house  in  Dixon  county,  Tenn. 
Doubtless  the  state  of  affairs  was  fully  known  to  him  ; 
and  the  proposition  to  constitute  a  Presbytery  neither 
new  or  unexpected.  But  he  was  a  man  of  faith  and 
prayer,  and  must  take  time  for  reflection  and  inquiry 
of  that  Being,  infinite  in  wisdom,  whom  he  habitually 
consulted,  before  he  could  come  to  a  decision.  During 
that  whole  night,  he  wrestled  in  prayer ;  and  often 
during  the  next  day,  he  retired  to  his  place  of  secret 
devotion,  and  laid  the  case  before  that  God  who  giveth 
wisdom  to  the  humble.  At  length  he  presented  himself 
before  his  brethren,  saying  "  that  God  had  heard  and 
answered  the  doubtful  question  ;  "  and  he  was  ready  to 
join  them  in  constituting  a  Presbytery. 

This  important  act  which  had  been  long  contemplated, 
occasioning  so  many  hopes  and  fears,  bright  prospects 
and  gloomy  discouragements,  was  at  length  consum- 
mated, on  the  4th  of  February,  1810.  A  Presbytery 
was  then  and  there  constituted,  which  was  the  mother  of 
the  more  than  eighty  Presbyteries  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  This  measure  had  long  elicited 
much  faith  and  prayer  from  the  whole  revival  party  ; 
but  it  also  had  been  anticipated  with  no  little  scorn  and 
derision  by  their  opponents.  It  has  been  growing  in 
interest  from  that  day  to  this,  and  will  continue  to  grow 
while  time  shall  last.  It  is  probable  that  the  actors  in 
this  scene,  expecting  only  to  find  a  refuge  from  the 
storm  of  persecution  and  the  means  of  serving  God  and 


196  ORGANIZATION    OF   THE 

their  generation  without  molestation,  had  but  a  fnint 
view  of  the  results  of  their  action  ;  but  judging  of  the 
future  by  the  past,  it  is  evident  that  the  consequences 
upon  the  destinies  of  mankind  will  not  be  inconsiderable. 
There  were  once  assembled,  in  an  upper  room  at  Jeru- 
salem, the  followers  of  him  who  shall  have  the  heathen 
for  his  inheritance  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth 
for  his  possession.  Great  effects  result  from  little  causes. 
"  Behold  how  great  a  matter  a  little  fire  kindleth." 
The  sons  of  Jacob,  had  they  foreseen  their  own  degra- 
dation and  their  brother's  elevation  to  wealth  and  honor, 
would  hardly  have  sold  Joseph  into  Egypt.  And  the 
Kentucky  Synod,  had  they  then  foreseen  the  results 
which  they  now  see,  as  well  as  those  which,  however 
reluctantly,  they  are  compelled  to  anticipate,  never 
would,  even  for  the  sake  of  their  own  justification,  have 
pushed  the  feeble  remnant  of  revival  ministers  to  the 
necessity  of  constituting  this  first  Presbytery  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  church.  Let  every  member 
of  this  church  cherish  and  inculcate  the  meek  spirit  of 
Joseph  towards  the  brethren  of  that  communion,  feeling 
as  well  as  saying,  "  be  not  grieved,  nor  angry  with 
yourselves."  "  For  God  sent  (our  fathers)  before  you, 
to  preserve  you  a  posterity  in  the  earth."  Your  own 
historians  have  told  you  of  the  dearth  and  deadness  of 
your  church,  before  the  glorious  revival  of  1800.  They 
have  depicted,  in  sombre  colors  of  humiliation,  the 
lamentable  state  of  religion  and  absence  of  revivals 
among  you,  until  about  the  year  1826.  You  yourselves 
have  been  witnesses   of    the  wonderful  progress  and 


CUMBERLAND   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  197 

extensive  revivals,  during  that  entire  period  and  ever 
since,  of  those  whom  your  Commission  would  have  sold 
into  Egypt,  for  less  than  twenty  pieces  of  silver.  In  the 
meantime  you  have  improved,  as  apt  scholars.  You 
can,  and  generally  do  preach  the  very  doctrines  for 
which  our  fathers  suffered  and  we  still  contend.  You 
have  introduced  among  your  people  camp  and  protracted 
meetings,  conference  and  inquiry  meetings,  the  anxious 
seat,  the  instruction  of  seekers  in  your  public  assemblies 
and,  to  some  extent,  the  itinerant  system.  And  it  is 
matter  of  great  joy  indeed  that  there  will  be  preserved 
a  posterity  of  so  amiable  and  excellent  a  people  as  you 
confessedly  are,  upon  the  earth :  that  is  the  Mississippi 
Valley.  Then  let  brotherly  love  continue.  Let  it  be 
reciprocal.  Let  the  only  strife  between  us  be,  who 
shall  serve  our  common  Lord  most  faithfully  and  our 
common  humanity  most  disinterestedly. 

The  first  acts  of  the  new  Cumberland  Presbytery 
were  the  examination  and  ordination  of  the  licentiate, 
Mr.  Ephraim  McLean,  who  appears  to  have  attended, 
by  previous  arrangement,  for  the  purpose.  He  was  one 
of  the  first  fruits  of  the  revival,  and  deserves  more  than 
a  passing  notice  in  the  church's  history.  When  the 
demand  for  preaching  so  far  exceeded  the  ability  of  the 
ordained  preachers  to  supply  it,  that  it  was  deemed 
expedient  to  select  some  of  the  most  intelligent  and 
pious  young  men  and  send  them  forth  as  traveling 
exhorters,  in  1801,  Mr.  McLean  was  one  of  the  four 
who,  by  the  advice  of  the  revival  ministers,  offered 
tliemselves  to  Transylvania  Presbytery  for  the  service 


198  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE 

of  the  church.  His  name  frequently  appears  in  the 
subsequent  acts  of  Presbytery.  And  notwithstanding 
he  labored  assiduously,  zealously,  and  usefully,  he 
appears  -to  have  been  treated  with  a  want  of  considera- 
tion and  disregard  to  propriety  which  would  have 
discouraged  any  ordinary  man.  But  he  was  not 
discouraged  nor  weary  in  well  doing,  knowing  whom 
he  served,  for  what  he  labored,  and  the  prize  he  should 
receive.  And  notwithstanding  Dr.  Davidson  speaks 
rather  contemptuously  of  his  reception  as  a  candidate 
for  the  ministry,  it  is  certain  that  several  respectable 
congregations  with  whom  he  labored,  had,  previous  to 
this,  presented  petitions,  "  importunately  praying  even 
for  his  licensure."  He  and  others  were  the  marks  at 
■whom  the  opposers  of  the  revival  were  wont  to  cast  their 
missiles ;  but  he  and  they  were  loved  by  the  pious  and 
intelhgent  for  their  works'  sake.  He  labored  not  in 
vain ;  and  the  writer  has  known  several  excellent 
Christians  who  acknowledged  his  instrumentality  in 
their  conversion.  And  though  he  lived  not  many  years 
after  his  ordination,  his  upright,  unobtrusive,  and  con- 
sistent course  saved  him  from  the  aspersions  which  were 
cast  upon  many  others  :  an  evidence  that  the  opposition 
he  encountered  was  directed  not  so  much  against  the 
man,  as  the  cause  he  had  espoused.  After  serving  the 
church  efficiently  and  faithfully  for  a  few  years,  he  died 
lamented  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  left  a  large  and 
respectable  family.  His  eldest  son,  the  Hon.  John  Mc- 
Lean held  several  offices  of  trust,  and  was  twice  elected 
a  member  of  the  United  States  Senate  from  Illinois. 


CUMBERLAND  PBESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  199 

His  youngest  son,  the  Hon.  Finis  Ewing  McLean,  of 
Kentucky,  has  represented  his  county  several  times  in 
the  Legislature  of  that  State,  and  lately  his  district  in 
the  lower  house  of  Congress. 

Of  the  constitution  of  the  Presbytery  and  its  action, 
Mr.  Ewing  writes  to  Mr.  Smith  as  follows  :  "  During 
the  preceding  transactions,  I  felt  an  indescribable  awe, 
solemnity,  and  even  timidity.  My  judgment  was  clear, 
that  it  was  a  duty  to  constitute  a  Presbytery ;  but  I 
feared  that  I  had  no  immediate,  special,  and  overpow- 
ering evidence  direct  from  God,  that  we  were  about  to 
do  right.  But  being  appointed  to  preside  in  the  ordina- 
tion, it  became  my  duty  to  pray.  I  distinctly  recollect 
that,  with  one  hand  on  the  head  of  the  preacher,  and 
the  other  lifted  to  heaven,  the  first  sentence  I  uttered, 
the  immediate  presence  and  power  of  God  were  most 
sensibly  felt  by  me,  and  I  believed  by  all  engaged  in 
•the  transaction :  and  such  were  my  feelings,  that  every 
doubt  concerning  the  propriety  of  what  we  had  done 
was  entirely  banished." 

It  would  be  difficult  to  describe  the  joy  and  gratitude 
•which  the  constitution  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  excited, 
•throughout  the  States  and  Territories  which  had  expe- 
rienced the  revival  influences.  At  last  the  friends  and 
promoters  of  the  blessed  work  were  delivered  from  the 
house  of  bondage.  Nov/  no  ecclesiastical  body  could 
arrogate  to  themselves  the  power  of  persecution  by 
divine  right.  There  would  be  no  more  citations,  suspen- 
sions, prohibitions,  obtrusions  on  the  rights  of  Presby- 
tery, nor  unconstitutional  demands  for  re-examinations. 


200  ORGANIZATION    OF   THE 

These  humble  followers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  had  made 
their  final  exodus,  into  a  large  place,  their  own 
rightful  inheritance  ;  and  if  their  inveterate  opposers 
should  follow  them  with  denunciations  and  misrepre- 
sentations, the  Lord  who  caused  the  waters  to  return 
upon  Pharaoh  and  his  host,  would  preserve  them 
unharmed,  except  so  far  as  might  be  necessary  to 
suppress  the  promptings  of  pride,  and  teach  them  lessons 
of  dependence. 

To  give  an  idea  of  the  sentiments  and  feelings  of 
those  who  were  laboring  in  the  revival,  on  hearing  of 
the  constitution  of  the  new  Pi-esbyterVy  it  may  suffice  to 
annex  the  remarks  of  Rev.  Robert  Donneil,  who  was 
one  of  the  young  men  who  had  been  encouraged  by  the 
Council  to  exercise  his  gifts  in  pubKe  exhortation. 

"  I  was  traveling  in  Alabama  Territory,"  says  he, 
"  when  I  heard  of  the  constitution  of  the  first  Cumberland 
Presbytery  by  Messrs.  McAdow,  Ewing,  and  King.  If 
I  ever  was  free  from  sectarian  feelingd,  it  was  at  that 
period.  I  often  thought,  fur  what  am  I  laboring  ?  I 
am  connected  with  no  constituted  Church,  and  know  not 
that  I  ever  shall  be.  For  what  then  do  I  labor,  if  I 
cannot  build  up  a  church  ?  The  reply  was,  only  for 
the  glory  of  God,  and  the  salvation  of  precious  souls'. 
But  what  will  become  of  the  few  so  stronglv  united  in 
the  bonds  of  love  ?  This  could  only  be  solved  by  the 
Head  of  the  Ch\jrch  ;  of  Him  I  often  sought  for  an 
answer  ;  and  I  am  persuaded  he  did  answer :  as  some 
time  before  the  Presbytery  was  constituted,  I  became 
quite  calm  on  the  subject,  nxAer  the  fii-ra  persuasion 


1 


CUMBERLAND   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  201 

that  the  Lord  would  open  a  way  for  us.  I  waa  in  this 
frame  when  the  intelligence  reached  me,  which  caused 
me  to  feel  truly  thankful  to  God  who  had  thus  opened 
a  door  for  a  feeble  handful  of  his  followers  to  become 
more  extensively  useful." 

The  next  meeting  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  was  at 
the  Ridge  meeting  house,  in  March  1810,  were  the 
congregations  were  first  fully  represented.  Its  ordained 
ministers  were  Samuel  McAdow,  Finis  Ewing,  Samuel 
King,  and  Ephraim  McLean.  Its  licentiates  were 
James  B.  Porter,  Hugh  Kirkpatrick,  Robert  Bell, 
David  Foster,  and  James  Farr.  Its  candidates  were 
Thomas  Calhoun,*  Alexander  Chapman,  William  Harris, 
Robert  Donnell,  William  Barnett,  William  Bumpass, 
Robert  McCorkle,  and  David  McHin.  These  venerated 
names,  together  with  that  of  Rev.  William  McGee, 
who  united  with  the  Presbytery  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year,  will  go  down  to  posterity  as  the  fathers  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  promoters  of 
the  revival  which,  after  a  lapse  of  more  than  half  a 
century,  is  still  in  progress. 

It  may  be  noticed  that  many  names  are  given  in  the 
prohibitive  act  of  the  Commission,  in  a  previous  chapter 
which  are  here  omitted.  The  explanation  of  this  is, 
that  the  old  Cumberland  Presbytery  never  designed  to 
admit  to  the  ministry  those  who  after  some  trial,  gave 
no    satisfactory    ©rvidence    of  their    aptness    to    teach ; 

*  The  name  of  Thomas  Calhoun  is  uniformly  found  in  Smith  and 
Davidson's  Histories  among  the  licentiates.  The  venerable  gentleman 
informs  the  writer  that  this  is  a  mistake;  he  was  onlv  a  candidate- 


202  ORGANIZATION   OF   THE 

consequently  not  half  of  those  licensed  to  catechise  and 
exhort,  were  even  received  as  candidates  for  the 
ministry.  Smith,  who  in  his  history  has  been  generally 
found  accurate  in  his  statements  of  fact  as  well  as  in  hi? 
judgments  of  men  and  measures,  affirms  that  "  The 
course  pursued  by  the  opposite  party  [the  Commission 
of  Synod]  was  unjust,  and  cruel,  and  their  denunciations 
of  the  young  men  as  disorderly,  heretical,  and  disorgan- 
izing, savored  not  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  neither  did  they 
act  can-dily,  in  not  distinguishing  between  those,  who 
were  merely  licensed  as  exhorters  and  chatechists,  from 
those  who  were  received  as  candidates  ;  as  they  could  not 
but  know  what  were  the  designs  of  Presbytery."  It  is 
hoped  for  the  honor  of  our  holy  religion  as  well  as  of  our 
common  Presbyterianism,  that  at  least  the  motives  ot 
*' the  opposite  party"  were  somewhat  less  censurable 
than  the  above  language  would  necessarily  imply. 

Did  the  revival  party  flatter  themselves,  after  consti- 
tuting the  new  Cumberland  Presbytery,  that  they  would 
escape  any  further  annoyance  or  unkindness  from  their 
opponents  ?  Indeed  they  were  mistaken.  Mr.  McAdow, 
by  the  new  organization,  having  declined  the  jurisdiction 
of  their  church,  Jhey,  by  an  act  of  the  Muhlenburg 
Presbytery,  pretended  to  depose  him  from  the  gospel 
ministry.  And  after  Mr.  McGee  had  joined  the 
Cumberland  Presbytery,  he  too  was  followed  by  a  like 
censure.  These  childish  acts  were  doubtless  intended 
for  public  effect,  but  their  entire  failure  must  have 
produced  no  small  mortification  to  their  perpetrators: 
for  all  could  see  that,  on  the  same  principle  and  with 


\ 


CUMBEKLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  203 

the  same  degree  of  justice  to  the  rights  of  conscience, 
the  Pope  could  depose  every  Protestant  minister  in 
Christendom. 

But  this  was  not  all.  After  the  abortive  attempt  for  a 
re-union,  by  order  of  the  West  Tennessee  Presbytery, 
"  a  pastoral  letter  was  addressed  to  all  the  churches 
under  its  care,  warning  them  of  the  heresies  of  those 
who  had  assumed  the  name  of  Cumberland  Presby- 
tery, assertmg  that  its  members  had  no  authority  to 
administer  ordinances,  &c.  This  letter  was  ably 
answered  by  Rev.  Finis  Ewing."  *  It  was  indeed 
ably  answered,  so  ably  that  it  must  have  settled  the 
question  at  issue  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  intelligent 
and  unprejudiced  minds.  There  was  no  ground  left  for 
a  rejoinder :  there  never  was  any.  With  a  single  com- 
ment. Dr.  Davidson  dismisses  this  pastoral  letter:  "to 
which  Finis  Ewing  published  a  reply,  which  was  regarded 
by  his  own  party  as  an  able  composition."!  It  might  be 
interesting  to  many  to  know  how  the  historian  regards 
the  "  composition." 

Many  years  ago,  the  writer  of  this  biography  was 
informed  by  a  Presbyterian  minister,  of  a  conversation 
between  Dr.  Anderson,  of  East  Tennessee,  and  Dr. 
Blackburn.  Dr.  Anderson  remarked  substantially  as 
follows  :  "  By  this  controversy  you  have  nothing  to 
gain  and  much  to  lose.  I  advise  you  to  let  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterians  alone.  Have  no  more  to  do  with 
this  Finis  Ewing.  He  is  so  skilled  in  Indian  warfare 
that    you   can  neither    head  nor  hamper   him ;    and 

•  Smith,  p.  644.  t  Dav.  His.  p.  2&4. 


204  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE 

certainly  in  his  reply  to  your  pastoral  letter,  he  has 
given  you  a  Braddock's  defeat." 

If  the  reader  wishes  correctly  to  comprehend  the 
origin,  progress,  and  termination  of  the  diiFerence 
between  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  and  the  former  Pres- 
bytery of  Cumberland,  reference  may  be  had  to  the 
Circular  Letter,  which  gives  a  clear  and  condensed 
view  of  the  subject,  and  may  be  found  in  the  Appendix 
to  Smith's  History  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

This  may  be  as  proper  a  place  as  any  other  to  give 
the  following  statement,  kindly  furnished  by  Rev.  David 
Lowry,  pastor  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church, 
of  Lebanon,  Tennessee.  "  Shortly  before  the  late  war 
with  England,  Mr.  Ewing,  with  Rev.  Ephriam  McLean, 
held  a  meeting  of  some  days,  near  Harford,  Ohio  county, 
Kentucky,  which  sowed  the  seeds  of  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterianism  in  that  county.  Many  professed  religion 
at  this  meeting ;  but  on  account  of  the  great  scarcity 
of  preachers  and  the  many  calls  on  this  infant  denomina- 
tion for  ministerial  aid,  no  church  was  organized.  The 
consequence  was,  other  denominations  reaped  the  fruits 
of  this  meeting.  The  converts  however,  still  retained 
endearing  recollections  of  the  preachers,  through  whose 
instrumentality  they  had  been  brought  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Some  ten  or  more  years 
after  the  meeting  referred  to.  Rev.  Messrs.  Chapman 
and  Harris  were  invited  to  hold  a  camp-meeting  in  the 
same  neighborhood  ;  and  considerable  preparations  were 
made  for  the  purpose.    A  prominent  citizen,  Col.  James 


CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  205 

Beard,  who  had  been  converted  at  Mr.  Ewing's  meeting, 
resolved,  if  possible,  to  have  him  at  the  meeting  now  in 
prospect.  He  wrote  earnestly  soliciting  and  urging  his 
attendance,  saying,  "  you  must  come,  and  when  you 
appear  in  the  pulpit,  many  of  your  congregation  will 
say,  there  is  my  spiritual  father."  Mr.  Ewing  complied 
with  this  request ;  the  meeting  was  very  successful ; 
and  at  its  close,  the  first  Cumberland  Presbyteriaa 
church  ever  organized  north  of  Green  river,  was 
constituted. 


CHAPTER  XV. 
THE   CHAPLAIN    AND    SOLDIEK. 

The  Christian  a  patriot  —  A  two-fold  character — Mr,  McSpedden's  account^ 
Groundless  objections  —  Valid  objections — His  true  reasons  —  Adventurous 
spirit  —  Servant  unto  all  —  Wilson's  reminiscences  —  A  sermon  —  Letters  to 
Harris  —  Loss  by  fire. 

Mr.  EwiNG  was  a  patriotic  citizen  as  well  as  a  Chris- 
tian minister.  Next  to  the  holy  Bible,  he  appears  to 
have  valued  the  American  constitution  ;  and  next  to  the 
sublime  hopes  inspired  by  the  former,  to  have  rejoiced 
in  the  dear  bought  rights  and  privileges  guaranteed  by 
the  latter.  As  a  general  principle,  it  will  be  found  that 
he  who  loves  his  God  supremely,  will  also  love  his 
country  disinterestedly ;  and  while  he  maintains  the 
doctrines  of  a  pure  Christianity,  he  will  uphold  the 
principles  of  human  right.  Standing  fast  in  the  liberty 
wherewith  Christ  has  made  him  free,  he  knows  how  to 
prize  the  freedom  of  opinion  and  conscience  bought 
with  the  blood  of  his  fathers.  Being  a  fellow-citizen 
with  the  saints,  he  is  a  co-worker  with  patriots ;  and 
being  of  the  household  of  faith,  he  is  associated  with 
those  who  labor  for  the  glory  and  happiness  of  his 
country.  It  is  impossible  to  conceive  of  a  humble  and 
devoted  Christian,  who  is  not  at  the  same  time  a  pure 
and  disinterested  patriot.     Love  to  God  and  love  to 


THE    CHAPLAIN    AND    SOLDIER.  207 

mankind  are  inseparable ;  and  every  heart  impressed 
with  the  one,  also  cherishes  the  other. 

Hitherto  Mr.  Ewing  has  been  presented  as  the  orphan 
boy,  the  lover  of  juvenile  sports,  the  combatant  with 
hostile  Indians,  the  member  of  a  debating  club,  the 
leader  in  church  music,  the  husband  of  Davidson's 
daughter,  the  sincere  penitent,  the  searcher  after  truth, 
the  religious  layman,  the  instructor  of  his  neighbors, 
the  humble  exhorter,  the  promoter  of  the  revival, 
the  laborious  missionary,  the  eloquent  preacher,  the 
vanquisher  of  infidels  and  errorists,  the  member  of 
Presbytery,  the  supporter  of  the  rights  of  conscience, 
the  silenced  minister  still  preaching,  the  favorite  of  the 
people,  the  intrepid  leader,  the  chosen  father  of  the 
revival  church,  and  its  triumphant  vindicator  against  the 
attacks  of  its  enemies.  But  he  is  now  to  appear  in  the 
two-fold  character  of  Chaplain  and  soldier  in  the  Amer- 
ican army.  It  has  not  been  unusual  for  the  wisest  and 
best  of  gospel  ministers  to  join  the  army  as  Chaplains  ; 
but  for  one  in  that  office  to  insist,  as  did  Mr.  Ewing,  on 
being  permitted  to  do  duty  as  a  soldier,  and  when 
necessary  to  join  in  battle  with  the  enemy,  is  a  novel 
occurrence,  and  exposes  his  conduct  to  criticism.  On 
this  subject  different  opinions  have  been  entertained ; 
while  some  have  condemned,  others  have  justified. 
Each  has  a  right  to  his  own  opinion.  The  writer  is  not 
aware  that  any  of  Mr.  Ewing's  own  brethren  have  ever 
impugned  his  motives  ;  but  it  must  be  admitted  that 
some  have  disapproved  his  course.  It  is  said,  however, 
that  those  who  learned  from  him  the   motives   which 


208  THE    CHAPLAIN    AJS'D    SOLDIER. 

prompted  his  conduct,  became  entirely  satisfied  mth  its 
correctness.  Certainly  much  may  be  said  on  both  sides 
of  the  question.  In  order  to  a  just  decision,  the  case 
must  be  considered  in  connection  ^^•ith  all  the  accompa- 
nying circumstances. 

Without  regard  to  public  rumor  or  any  thing  contained 
in  the  newspapers  of  the  day  on  this  subject,  the  follow- 
ing definite  statement  has  been  furnished  by  an  intimate 
friend  of  Mr.  Ewing,  Rev.  Samuel  McSpedden,  of 
Warren  county,  Tennessee,  and  may  be  relied  on  as 
strictly  true. 

"  Prior  to  the  war  of  1812,  Maj.  General  Hopkins, 
then  engaged  in  raising  troops  for  an  expedition  against 
the  Indians  and  their  British  abettors  north  of  the  Ohio, 
applied  to  Mr.  Ewing  to  join  the  army  as  Chaplain. 
Ewing  after  much  deliberation  consented,  on  condition 
that  he  might  be  permitted  to  take  with  him  his  rifle 
and,  in  case  of  necessity,  use  it  as  others  did.  This 
condition  was  accepted.  He  went  out  with  the  army, 
served  in  the  double  capacity  of  Chaplain  and  soldier, 
and  returned  unharmed. 

What  were  the  objections  to  his  course  ?  It  was 
said  by  certain  politicians  that  the  Ewings  were  a  large 
and  ambitious  family,  and  were  engrossing  to  themselves 
many  of  the  highest  offices ;  and  while  one  of  the 
brothers  had  been  made  a  Colonel  in  this  expedition, 
another  had  been  appointed  Chaplain.  Others  thought 
the  army  could  do  well  enough  without  a  Chaplain,  and 
could  see  no  advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  appoint- 
ment,  further   than   to   please    an    influential   family. 


THE    CHAPLAIN    AND    SOLDIER.  209 

These  of  course  were  not  religious  persons.  But  some 
good  men  thought  actual  service  in  war  not  becoming  a 
messenger  of  the  gospel  of  peace. 

There  were  certainly  valid  objections,  whether  they 
were  ever  made  or  not.  Mr.  Ewing  had  been  the  principal 
and  most  active  agent  in  organizing  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church.  When  attacked,  he  had  taken  up  his 
pen  and  made  a  noble  defence.  Should  another  attack 
be  made  from  the  same  quarter,  his  great  abilities  would 
be  required  for  repelling  it.  But  no  attack  was  made 
from  that  source.  And  as  regards  the  New  Lights  who 
were  traveling  the  country,  and  disseminating  their 
errors,  every  Cumberland  Presbyterian  preacher  felt 
himself  fully  competent  to  encounter  and  vanquish  them. 
And  while  it  is  acknowledged,  to  the  credit  of  the  Pres- 
byterians, that  their  writers  rendered  valuable  service 
from  the  press,  it  cannot  be  denied  that  their  Cumber- 
land brethren  did  more  for  the  cause  of  truth  from 
the  pulpit.  But  a  young  and  growing  denomination, 
engaged  in  conducting  a  revival  seldom  equaled  in  the 
church's  history,  and  having  many  difficulties  to  encoun- 
ter, besides  a  scarcity  of  preachers,  it  must  be  confessed, 
could  not  well  spare  from  their  ranks  a  man  of  Mr. 
Swing's  brilliant  talents  and  untiring  industry.  And 
when  this  is  said,  it  is  proper  to  attend  to  what  may  be 
said  on  the  other  side  of  the  question. 

The  troops  were  raised  principally  in  the  region  of 

country  where  Mr.  Ewing  had  labored.     Many  of  the 

soldiers  knew  him  personally,  had  sat  under  his  ministry, 

and  while  all  respected  him,  a  goodly  number  regarded 

18 


210  THE  CHAPLAIN  AND  SOLDIER. 

him  as  their  spiritual  father.  The  parents  of  these 
young  soldiers,  many  of  them  members  of  the  church, 
were  very  soUcitous  for  the  success  of  Gen.  Hopkins' 
appUcation,  believing  that  Mr.  Ewing  would  be  a  guard 
and  guide  to  their  sons.  Hence  they  seconded  the 
application  with  all  their  eloquence  and  many  entreaties. 
It  is  beyond  a  doubt  that  Mr.  Ewing  looked  upon  these 
soldiers  somewhat  in  the  light  of  dear  brethren  and 
children;  and  in  addition  to  the  promptings  of  his 
patriotism,  he  was  moved  by  these  considerations.  He 
knew  too  that  he  could  preach  the  gospel  to  greater 
numbers,  while  on  this  expedition  than  he  probably 
could  at  home.  At  any  time  when  not  on  active  duty, 
he  could  have  his  congregation.  And  he  doubtless 
flattered  himself  that  much  good,  would  result. 

Much  good  did  result.  But  it  may  be  that  he  had 
not  lost  the  spirit  of  his  youthful  days ;  and  in  contem- 
plating an  expedition  against  the  Indians,  he  felt  a 
return  of  those  adventurous  feelings  which  had  in  former 
times  led  him  in  pursuit  of  '■Hhe  cowardly  savages^'  in 
the  Cumberland  country.  Having  hved,  for  years  in 
early  life,  in  a  settlement  much  annoyed  by  the  savages, 
having  early  been  one  of  those  relied  on  for  the  defence 
of  innocence  and  helplessness  against  their  hostile 
attacks,  it  is  probable  his  feelings  were  interested  and 
his  heart  touched,  in  a  manner  not  to  be  understood  nor 
appreciated  by  those  who  have  never  had  his  experience. 

But  why  did  he  insist  on  the  condition  that  he  should 
serve  in  the  ranks  ?  Doubtless  because  he  knew  this 
would   at  all   times   give   him  access  to  the  common 


THE  CHAPLAIN  AND  SOLDIER.  211 

adldiers,  and  enable  him  to  exert  a  salutary  influence 
over  them.  Knowing  the  corrupting  influences  which 
find  their  way  into  an  army,  he  was  anxious  to  watch 
over  their  health  and  habits,  guard  their  morals  and 
principles,  and  win  them  to  virtue  and  religion.  He  was 
well  aware  that  this  course  would  not  lessen  his 
influence  with  the  officers  of  the  army,  all  of  whom 
knew  his  character  and  standing  at  home,  and  justly 
appreciated  his  talents  and  piety.  Like  the  Apostle,  he 
appears  to  have  made  himself  servant  unto  all,  that  he 
might  gain  the  more.* 

It  has  been  said  that  lie  consented  to  accept  the 
chaplaincy,  after  much  deliberation.  It  is  well  known 
to  his  friends  that  he  was  accustomed  to  consult  God  by 
prayer,  before  he  could  decide  or  engage  in  any  impor- 
tant enterprise.  His  "  much  deliberation  "  was  doubt- 
less accompanied  with  many  fervent  prayers;  and  it 
would  be  interesting  to  the  pious  to  know  something  of 
his  internal  struggles  and  exercises  of  mind,  before 
^ieciding  so  important  a  question.  But  nothing  further 
has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  writer.  His  habitual 
taciturnity  with  regard  to  himself  has  put  this  as  well 
as  many  other  subjects  of  interest  beyond  the  reach  of 
inquiry. 

The  writer  has  taken  due  pains  to  furnish  the  readers 
of  his  work,  with  authentic  information  respecting 
Mr.  Ewing's  general  course  of  conduct  during  this 
northern  expedition,  the  nature  of  his  intercourse  with 
the  officers  and  soldiers  as  well  as  the   influence  he 

*  1  Cor.  ix,  19. 


^12  THE  CHAPLAIN  AND  SOLDIEK. 

exerted  on  the  army  ;  but  his  success  has  been  incon- 
siderable. A  few  interesting  reminescences  bj  Mr. 
Constant  Wilson,  of  Russelville,  Kentucky,  are  all  that 
can  be  relied  on.  He  says  he  was  between  fifteen  and 
sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  left  Russelville  with  his 
company,  on  the  12th  of  September,  1812.  The  army 
rendezvoused  and  was  organized  at  Vincennes,  Indiana. 
He  remembers  often  to  have  seen  Mr.  Ewing,  riding  in 
the  ranks  of  his  own  regiment,  dressed  in  the  uniform 
of  a  common  soldier,  and  knows  that  he  preached  to  all 
the  regiments,  which  were  five  in  number.  He  remem- 
bers once  being  out  on  guard,  when  Mr.  Ewing  preached 
to  his  own  regiment.  He  says  the  object  of  the  expedi- 
tion was  to  relieve  Fort  Harrison.  The  following  is  his 
account  of  one  sermon. 

"  The  regiment  of  Col.  Young  Ewing  being  drawn  up 
for  the  purpose  of  divine  service,  Rev.  Finis  Ewing, 
who  used  occasionally  to  preach  to  the  ti-oops,  rode  up, 
and  there,  on  horseback,  with  his  rifle  before  him,  resting 
across  his  saddle-bow,  preached  a  very  excellent  and 
feeling  sermon,  of  about  an  hour's  length.  The  soldiers 
of  the  regiment  listened  with  respectful  attention,  and 
appeared  interested  and  solemn.  I  myself  was  so  much 
interested  that,  long  afterwards,  I  could  remember 
much  of  his  sermon  and  repeat  some  of  his  entire 
sentences,  verbatim.  Even  at  this  distance  of  time,  I 
remember  that  the  drift  of  his  discourse  was  to  show 
the  analogy  between  the  natural  and  spiritual  warfare, 
the  soldier  of  the  country  and  the  soldier  of  the  cross. 
The  one  fought  against  the  enemies  of  his  country,  the 


THE   CHAPLAIN  AND  SOLDIER.  213 

other  had  to  contend  against  a  corrupt  nature,  a  deceitful 
heart,  and  the  enemies  of  his  God.  The  one  employed 
carnal  weapons  ;  the  other  used  only  spiritual  weapons  ; 
"  For  the  weapons  of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but 
mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  sti'ong 
holds.  Hence  watchfulness,  fidelity,  loyalty,  bravery, 
energy,  and  perseverance,  were  necessary  to  both. 
He  then  portrayed  in  glowing  colors  the  fruits  of  vic- 
tory :  in  the  one  case,  the  liberty  and  independence 
of  his  country  with  the  joy  and  gratitude  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  ;  in  the  other,  palms  of  victory,  crowns  of 
glory,  sceptres  of  righteousness,  and  an  inheritance  at 
God's  right  hand,  which  eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear 
heard,  nor  can  heart  understand." 

"After  his  return,"  says  Mr.  McSpedden,  "he 
remarked  to  his  friends,  that  he  had  found  himself  able 
to  fight  the  Indians  in  Tennessee,  when  he  had  no 
religion ;  then  how  much  less  should  he  now  be  afraid  to 
encounter  Indians  or  other  enemies  of  his  country,  when 
he  enjoyed  the  Christian's  hope." 

No  allusion  is  made  in  any  of  Mr.  Swing's  letters 
which  have  come  to  hand,  to  this  northern  expedition, 
except  in  one  to  Rev.  William  Harris ;  in  which,  after 
suggesting  certain  arrangements  respecting  the  theo- 
logical library  which  was  then  being  coUscted,  he 
speaks  of  his  return,  of  certain  soldiers  who  htd  died  of 
their  wounds,  and  of  the  safe  return  of  his  sc  a,  William 
Lee,*  after  an  honorable  discharge.     The  &a,mi?  letter- 

*  This  was  Gen.  Ewing,  Attorney  at  Law,  afterwardf  d  SoTiator  in 
Consress  from  Illinois. 


214  THE  CHAPLAIN  AXD  SOLDIER. 

concludes  as  follows  :  "  Two  nights  before  I  got  home, 
my  large  double  barn,  all  my  wheat,  rye,  oats,  nearly 
all  my  flax,  about  two  hundred  bushels  of  com,  plows, 
gear,  &c.,  were  consumed  by  fire.  This  loss,  happen- 
ing at  this  time,  I  shall  very  seriously  feel.  It  will  be 
difficult  to  repair.  '  But  shall  there  be  evil  in  the  city, 
and  the  Lord  hath  not  done  it  ? '  My  prayer  is  to 
have  the  sanctified  benefit  of  the  dispensation.  Do 
jou  pray  for  it  also." 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

USEFULNESS   AS   A   CITIZEN. 

Removal  —  Postmaster  at  EwingsTille  —  Pastor  of  Lebanon  church  —  Academy 
built  —  Sermon  on  national  affairs  —  Cause  of  its  publication  —  Republished 
in  1850  —  Its  character  —  Sentiments  —  His  correspondence  —  Letter  to  Donnell 
—  To  Calhoun  —  To  Harris  —  Confinement  —  Bible  Society. 

The  year  of  Mr.  Ewing's  removal  from  Logan  to 
Christian  county,  is  not  exactly  known.  It  must  have 
been  previous  to  1813,  for  many  of  his  letters  of  that 
and  succeeding  years  are  dated  and  postmarked  Ewings- 
ville,  and  franked  by  him,  as  postmaster.  This  is  in 
the  part  of  Todd  county  which  was  at  the  time  embraced 
in  the  county  of  Christian.  Here  he  took  the  pastoral 
charge  of  Lebanon  congregation,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Ewingsville.  Notwithstanding  the  newness  of  the 
country,  and  the  scarcity  of  houses  of  worship  of  any 
kind,  even  in  the  towns,  the  people  of  this  neighborhood 
erected  a  neat  and  commodious  edifice  of  brick,  for 
an  academy  as  well  as  a  house  of  worship  for  this 
congregation.  Here  for  many  years  was  sustained  a 
flourishing  classical  school.  It  is  understood  that  Mr. 
Ewing  contributed  liberally  to  the  building  and  support 
of  the  seminary,  which  continued  to  prosper  while  under 
his  fostering  care,  but  sunk  into  decline  on  his  removal 
to  Missoui'i.    Many  years  ago,  the  writer,  while  residing 


216  USEFULNESS   AS    A   CITIZEN. 

in  Elkton,  about  eight  miles  distant,  preached  frequently 
in  this  church,  and  remembers  to  have  admired  the 
public  spirit  which  had  erected  such  a  building  in  a 
country  neighborhood,  in  so  early  a  period  of  its 
settlement.  The  pastor  devoted  one-half  of  his  time 
to  this  church,  the  other  half  to  camp  and  protracted 
meetings  in  this  and  the  adjoining  counties,  with  annual 
visits  to  the  churches  of  his  old  circuit  in  Tennessee, 
and  some  occasional  visits  to  places  where  his  services 
were  specially  needed,  or  importunately  solicited. 

It  was  in  1814,  after  the  fall  of  Bonaparte,  that  Mr. 
Ewing  preached  his  celebrated  "  Sermon  on  National 
Affairs."  Our  country  was  still  engaged  in  war  with 
Great  Britain,  and  certain  British  writers,  in  a  vain  and 
boastful  spirit,  threatened  that  their  government,  now 
being  free  to  turn  the  entire  force  of  their  arms  against 
us,  would  soon  re-colonize  the  United  States.  This, 
so  far  from  eliciting  fear,  stirred  up  indignation  in  the 
heart  of  every  true  American.  "  This  discourse," 
says  Mr.  Ewing,  "  was  not  contemplated  till  after  the 
downfall  of  Napoleon,  and  the  threat  to  re-colonize  us, 
which  followed  that  event.  These  things  made  a  deep 
impression  on  my  mind,  and  gave  rise  to  my  preaching 
this  sermon  a  few  days  afterwards,  at  Casey's  Creek, 
on  the  fourth  Saturday  in  July."  This  discourse 
excited  a  powerful  interest  at  the  time,  and  by  the 
solicitations  of  his  friends,  both  religious  and  political, 
he  was  prevailed  on  shortly  after,  to  preach  it  in  various 
places  to  large  congregations.  While  it  is  probable 
that  none  of  his  literary  productions  have  done  him 


USEFULNESS   AS    A    CITIZEN.  217 

more  credit  with  the  public  generally,  who  agreed  with 
him  in  sentiment,  it  is  certain  that  none  have  been  more 
criticized  and  misrepresented  by  the  few  then  in  the  west 
who  opposed  the  war  and  the  existing  administration. 

In  the  preface,  speaking  of  his  reluctance  to  com- 
mitting his  sermon  to  the  press,  the  author  says :  "  But 
the  requests  of  many  who  heard  it,  the  hope  that  it 
might  be  in  some  degree  useful  in  counteracting  certain 
foul  insinuations  respecting  it,  and  the  desire  to  speak 
out  plainly,  for  myself  as  well  as  my  brethren,  on  the 
subject  of  our  present  second  struggle  for  independence, 
are  some  of  the  motives  which  have  induced  me  to 
consent  to  its  publication." 

This  sermon  was  re-published  at  Louisville,  in  the 
Theological  Medium,  in  1850,  the  editor  remarking  as 
follows ;  "  Of  late,  frequent  inquiries  have  been  made 
for  it,  and  a  desire  expressed  for  its  publication  in  the 
Medium.  We  take  pleasure  in  complying  with  this 
request,  as  it  obliges  many  friends  and  patrons ;  and  in 
these  times  of  traitorous  schemes  and  treasonable  move- 
ments on  the  part  of  sectional  extremists,  the  reading 
of  this  sermon  can  but  tend  to  induce  a  stronger  love 
of  country  in  those  who  have  not  passed  through  the 
times  that  tried  men's  souls." 

This  sermon  breathes  a  spirit  of  the  purest  patriotism, 
as  well  as  the  most  ardent  piety.  It  evinces  a  thorough 
acquaintance  with  the  British  and  American  Constitu- 
tions, and  proves  that  its  author  had  long  and  accurately 
studied  the  history,  policy,  spirit,  genius,  and  resources 
of  the  two  countries.  If  it  should  be  thought  bj  some 
19 


21?  USEFULNESS    AS    A    CITIZEN. 

to  manifest  an  undue  severity  upon  British  policy,  such 
as  the  sanction  of  the  worship  of  Juggernaut  for  the  sake 
of  revenue,  the  oppression  of  her  own  Catholic  subjects, 
contrasted  with  her  agency  in  re-establishing  the  Pope 
in  his  power  and  Ferdinand  VII  in  Spain,  &c.,  it  must 
be  remembered  that  this  was  spoken  of  a  nation ;  then 
waging  war  against  us  and  repeatedly  threatening  to 
re-colonize  us.  And  if  the  sentiments  concerning  Gov. 
Strong  and  others  at  the  north,  who  opposed  the  war, 
are  thought  to  savor  of  a  want  of  charity,  it  must  be 
borne  in  mind  that  those  sentiments  were  generally 
entertained  and  unhesitatingly  expressed  at  the  west  by 
a  very  large  majority  of  patriots  and  Christians  at  the 
time.  Time  has  to  some  extent  changed,  or  at  least 
modified  those  views. 

The  general  sentiments  of  the  sermon  will  doubtless 
be  approved  by  all  American  patriots  ;  and  its  spirit  will 
be  admired  by  all  Christian  hearts.  Its  grand  excellency 
is  the  spirit  of  piety  which  it  uniformly  breathes :  the 
inculcation  of  dependence  on  God,  obedience  to  his 
laws,  submission  to  his  will,  and  a  humble  reliance  on 
his  promises.  Our  goodly  heritage*  is  shown  to  have 
been  obtained  "  at  the  price  of  blood  and  treasure ; " 
by  means  of  "  valor,  skill,  patriotism,  and  prayer ; " 
and  must  be  preserved  "  by  the  proper  exercise  of  our 
privileges  in  the  choice  of  rulers,  the  nourishing  of  the 
principles  of  true  patriotism,  the  diffusion  of  useful 
knowledge,  submission  to  lawful  authority,  virtue  and 
morality,  reformation  and  prayer.*'     If  the  author  of 

•  The  t«xt  was  Pslams  XTi,  6. 


USEFULNESS    AS    A    CITIZEN.  219 

the  sermon  experienced  any  slight  vexation  from  the 
censures  and  insinuations  of  certain  querulous  minds,  it 
was  more  than  compensated  by  the  complimentary  letters 
from  distinguished  men  Avhich  poured  in  upon  him,  after 
its  circulation. 

Mr.  E wing's  correspondence  was  extensive.  He  was 
in  the  habit  of  writing  more  or  less  frequently  to  nearly 
all  the  preachers  who  belonged  to,  or  were  under  the 
care  of  the  first  Presbytery  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian church.  And  from  the  letters  put  into  the  hands 
of  the  biographer,  frequent  allusions  are  made  to  his 
correspondence  with  many  of  the  elders  and  private 
members,  lie  appears  to  have  felt  a  tender  concern 
for  the  great  interests  of  religion,  and  to  have  exercised 
a  fatherly  care  over  the  church  generally,  and  its 
members  individually.  It  is  matter  of  wonder,  how  he 
could  find  time  for  so  voluminous  a  correspondence, 
considering  his  laborious  duties  as  a  preacher.  It  is  true, 
his  letters  appear  to  have  been  written  hastily,  and 
without  any  extraordinai-y  care  ;  but  it  is  equally  true, 
whether  the  subject  relate  to  private,  personal,  family, 
neighborhood,  or  church  affairs,  or  be  confined  to  the 
interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  —  that  they 
always  evince  the  same  deep  thought,  sound  judgment, 
warm  feelings,  disinterested  friendship,  and  pure  devo- 
tion to  (jiod's  glory  and  man's  spiritual  good.  Some  of 
his  letters  to  two  of  those  young  men  who  were  first 
received  as  candidates,  after  the  new  constitution,  with 
a  few  others,  have  been  put  into  our  hands :  these  are 
Rev,   Robert  Donnell,  of  Athens,  Alabama,   and  Rev. 


220  USEFULNESS    AS    A    CITIZEN. 

William  Harris,  deceased,  late  of  Warren  county,  Ky. 
From  these,  and  others,  it  is  proposed  to  give  such 
letters  or  extracts  as  may  serve  to  develop  the  disposi- 
tion and  habits  of  the  man  as  well  as  his  devotion  to 
the  great  cause  he  had  espoused. 

To  Rev.  Robert  Donndl. 

EwiNGSViLLE,  May  30,  1817. 

Mt  Dear  Brother  Robert  :  *  *  *  *  I  am  pleased  to  hear 
that  you  are  indefatigable  in  the  good  work,  that  you  are  not  counting 
your  ease  or  even  your  life  dear,  so  that  you  may  win  souls.  May 
the  Lord  ever  keep  in  your  heart  the  true  spirit  of  his  missionary, 
whose  labors  he  will  delight  to  own  and  bless. 

I  am  afraid  the  new  country  of  which  you  speak  will  fill  up  too 
ftist  with  Christians ;  that  is,  that  too  much  of  tlie  salt  of  the  earth 
will  concentrate  in  one  place,  to  the  injury  or  danger  of  the  vast 
bodies  of  the  spiritually  dead,  but  intelligent  and  accountable  beings, 
who  may  suffer  moral  putrefaction,  without  the  savor  of  those  who 
seem  to  be  making  their  way  from  amongst  them.  A  number  of 
persons  in  this  congregation  talk  of  removing  to  the  late  purchase  in 
the  south.  Sinners  who  have  precious  souls,  are  still  numerous  here. 
What  shall  be  done  for  them  1 

I  have  just  returned  from  a  camp  meeting  in  brother  John  Barnett's 
neighborhood.  I  tried  to  preach  four  times  on  the  occasion :  first,  on 
prayer ;  tecondly,  on  the  duty  of  the  Church  to  pray  for  more 
laborers  ;  thirdly,  on  the  sufferings  of  the  Son  of  God  ;  fourthly,  on 
the  excuses  mortals  make  for  not  coming  to  Christ.  God  seemed  to 
be  specially  near,  during  a  gi-eat  part  of  the  occasion.  His  people 
were  comforted  ;  sinners  were  awakened  ;  and  nineteen  or  twenty 
professed  religion,  among  whom  was  an  intelligent  Atheist !  lie  is 
a  European  by  birth,  and  had  not  attended  meeting  but  once  for  five 
years  before  this  camp  meeting.  But  that  same  cross  which  seemed 
to  be  both  a  stumbling  block  and  foolishness  to  him,  appears  to  have 
been  too  mighty  for  his  proud  licart.  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest  1 
It  is  no  wonder  that  Paul  would  only  glory  in  the  cross.  It  is  no 
wonder  that  he  would  only  know  Christ  and  him  crucified.  Could 
a  devil  get  a  view  of  it,  as  man  is  permitted  to  eee  it,  he  would  be 


USEFULNESS    AS    A    CITIZEN.  221 

conquered  by  the  sight.  But  why  such  glorying  in  the  cross  ? 
Because  there  hung  the  incarnate  mystery.  There  the  law  was 
magnified ;  there  its  awful  claims  were  satisfied ;  there  countless, 
eternal  hells,  (so  to  speak,)  were  concentrated;  there  expiation  was 
made  ;  there  the  throne  was  sprinkled  ;  there  an  everlasting  right- 
eousness was  completed  ;  and  there  all  our  hopes  and  prospects  for 
present  and  eternal  felicity  rest. 

I  have  jnst  written  to  one  of  my  correspondents  that  a  Christian 
ought  to  abound  in  every  good  word  and  wox-k,  as  though  he 
were  to  merit  heaven  by  it,  and  depend  no  more  on  this  for  his 
acceptance  with  God,  than  if  he  had  done  nothing  at  all.  Indeed,  I  am 
persuaded,  the  more  a  true  Christian  works  the  less  will  he  depend 
on  his  own  righteousness  ;  and  when  he  comes  to  die,  he  will  feel  that 
all  his  good  works  will  not  weigh  a  feather  in  the  scale,  in  favor  of 
his  acceptance.  O,  no.  It  is  Christ  and  his  pure  righteousness,  together 
with  a  consciousness  of  having  a  relish  for  the  enjoyment  of  God 
that  can  support  the  enlightened  soul  in  death. 

Brother  Rice  has  removed  to  St.  Louis.  We  are  scarce  of 
preachers  ;  but  I  tinist  the  Lord  is  about  to  call  more.  Our  young 
licentiates  promise  to  he  useful.  Write  to  me  fully  and  freely. 
Pray  for  me  and  my  family.  Give  my  love  to  the  brethren.  Tell 
them  to  take  on  Zion's  pangs,  to  travail  in  birth,  to  take  no  denial, 
till  God  works  wonders.  May  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  ever  present 
with  you  and  them.  Your  brother,  FINIS  EWING. 

To  Rev.  Tliomas  Calhoun. 

EwixGsviLLE,  March  16,  1816. 
Dear  Brother  Calhoun  : —  *****  The  epidemic  made  its 
appearance  among  us  last  month,  and  wafted,  I  trust,  to  heaven  t\\  o 
old  soldiers  of  the  cross  and  one  woman.  "  Fierce  diseases  wait 
around  to  hurry  mortals  home."  Fierce  indeed  this  appears  to  be. 
But  few  however  have  died  in  this  section  with  it ;  but  I  fear  we  are 
too  insensible  to  the  preserving  care  of  that  God  who  conti'ols  the 
pestilence.  I  have  heard  that  the  disease  has  made  fearful  strides  in 
various  parts  of  Tennessee.  May  God  sanctify  the  dispensation  to 
the  good  of  saints  and  sinners. 

Religion  here  is  not  so  flourishing  as  is  desirable.  We  had  how- 
ever a  solemn  time  yesterday.  While  I  was  trying  to  preach  from 
the  text,  "  I  have  longed  for  thy  salvation,  0  Lord,"  there  was  much 


222  USEFULNESS  AS  A  CITIZEN. 

feeling  among  the  people  ;  the  Lord  liberated  my  poor  stammering 
tongue,  and  led  me  awaj'  into  the  good  country.  And  while  I  was 
there  a  learned  infidel  who  was  present  looked  as  solemn  as  death, 
and  seemed  alarmed,  as  if  standing  at  the  bar  of  judguient.  May 
the  Spii'it  of  God  re-preach  the  truth  to  his  conscience.  An  awful 
dispensation  of  providence  took  place  on  Casey's  creek.  On  the 
Sabbath  while  a  man  and  his  wife  were  absent,  their  two  only  sons, 
little  boys,  in  a  frolic  mounted  a  horse  without  a  bridle,  riding  to  and 
frona  a  neighbor's  house,  both  whipping  and  urging  on  the  horse  as 
fast  as  possible ;  and  both  at  once  were  dashed  into  eternity.  God 
disapproves  Sabbath-breaking  even  in  the  children.  May  this  prove  a 
salutary  warning  to  all  disobedient  children.  May  the  lesson  not 
be  lost  to  parents. 

Sometime  since,  some  libertine,  under  the  garb  of  Christianity, 
wrote  and  published,  in  one  of  our  most  popular  newspapers,  against 
the  Christian  Sabbalh.  I  answered  it.  He  wrote  again  ;  and  I  am 
this  day  about  to  prepare  a  rejoinder.  May  God  put  to  confusion 
the  counsel  of  the  wicked. 

I  have  volunteered  to  ride  and  preach  tliree  raontlis  between  this 
and  next  Pi'esbytery.    May  God  grant  me  the  spirit  of  a  missionary. 
Pray  for  me.     Love  to  sister  Calhoun,  your  father,  Pro  vine,  Aston 
Foster,  McSpedden,  and  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity. 
Your  brother  in  the  strongest  bonds, 

riNIS  EWING. 

To  Rev.  William  Harris. 

EwiNGSViLLE,  August  28,  1816. 
Dear  Brother  :  —  ******  Now  for  better  things.  At 
Antioeh  wc  had  a  lai-ge  collection  of  well  behaved  people.  It  was  a 
precious  meeting.  The  Lord  revived  his  work.  There  were  much 
harmony  and  union  among  God's  people  of  different  names.  Never 
before,  in  that  part  of  the  country,  have  I  witnessed  so  large  and 
interesting  a  communion.  Several  of  our  Baptist  brethren  leaped 
the  wall.  By  request  I  spoke  on  Saturday,  between  two  and  three 
hours,  on  the  subject  of  baptism.  I  hope  good  was  done.  My  views 
seemed  to  myself  unusually  clear,  and  I  believe  none  took  offence  at 
the  truth.  I  fenced  the  table ;  and  I  thought  I  had  aid  from  on  high  in 
my  exhortations.  We  received  many  young  converts,  and  nine  adults 
were  baptized,  six  by  our  mode,  two  went  down  into  the  water,  and 


tfSFULNESS   AS    A    CITIZEN.  223 

one  Tinder  the  water.  Many  persons  were  convicted,  iind  twenty-two 
professed  religion,  among  whom  were  the  following.  *  *  *  * 
Give  my  love  to  sister  Harris  and  your  children.  Tell  the  latter 
that  many  young  peeple,  westward  and  in  this  region,  are  seeking 
and  obtaining  the  one  thing  needful.  Honor  to  God.  Eternal  honor 
to  God.     I  know  you  will  say  amen. 

Yours  in  Christ,  FlNIS  EWING- 

In  the  fall  of  1816,  Mr.  Ewing  was  for  some  time 
■confined  with  lameness  in  one  of  his  knees.  How  this 
was  occasioned  is  not  known.  The  fact  appears  from 
the  following  extract: 

To  Rcc.  Wil/iaiii  JLnris. 

MoxDAY  Night,  Nov.  19,  1816. 
Dear  Brother  Harris  : —  This  day  three  weeks,  the  Doctor 
■operated  on  my  knee,  since  which,  except  a  day  or  two  immediately 
after  the  operation,  I  have  been  closely  confined  to  my  house  and  my 
bed.  And  from  present  appearances,  it  seems  that  I  may  be  much 
longer  confined,  if  I  ever  am  restored  to  Iiealth  and  soundness.  The 
Doctor  is  skillful  and  honest ;  and  is  disposed  to  encourage  my 
hopes.  But  my  impediment  is  in  a  critical  place  and  very  difficult 
to  cure.  It  is  a  little  better;  bui  I  cannot  perceive  that  the  imme- 
diate wound  has  healed  any :  it  inclines  mere  to  bleed  than  to  heal. 
Indeed  I  have  endured  much  pain  for  a  few  days ;  and  I  regret  to 
reflect  that  I  did  not  bear  it  with  as  much  patience  as  I  ought, 
though  more  than  I  expected.  I  have  believed  from  the  first,  it 
-endangered  my  life ;  but  death  seems  to  have  no  deadly  sting.  Still 
-endearing  ties  draw  me  to  life  ;  my  famih-,  my  brethren,  tlie  church, 
•above  all,  the  Lord's  blessed  caiise  and  the  danger  of  immortal  souls. 
I  want  }'ou  to  pray  for  me.  I  wish  you  could  visit  and  preach  for 
■me.  How  I  long  to  hear  a  seriEon  !  I  will  not  insist,  it  it  would  be 
to  your  disadvantage  or  the  neglect  of  important  duties. 

I  hope  God  will  be  with  you  in  your  deliberations  in  Presbytery. 
I  think  it  would  be  proper  to  license  Brother  Morrow ;  but  will  not 
dictate.    I  long  to  be  able  again  to  blow  tiie  gospel  trumpet.    I  have 


224  USEFULNESS  AS  A  CITIZEN. 

not  been  so  long  and  closely  confined  for  eighteen  years.  May  ti>« 
Lord  give  me  patience  and  resignation.  If  you  cannot  soon  visit 
me,  write  to  me  lengthily  from  Presbytery. 

Your  brother  in  the  faith  of  Christ, 

FINIS  EWING. 

In  1817,  Mr.  Ewing,  by  his  preaching,  correspon- 
dence, and  personal  solicitations,  exerted  himself  in  the 
counties  in  the  Green  River  country,  for  the  formation 
of  a  Bible  Society ;  and  succeeded  to  a  considerable 
extent  in  enlisting  all  the  other  denominations  in  the 
enterprise.  In  one  of  his  letters  to  Mr.  Harris,  he 
proposes  by  name  two  preachers  or  prominent  members 
belonging  to  the  four  different  denominations  in  the 
country,  for  managers,  and  recommends  the  name  of 
the  "  Green-  River  Bible  Society." 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

CORRESPONDENCE    WITH   BRETHREN. 

Three  letters  to  A.  Aston: — How  to  avoid  temptation  —  Encouraging  promises 

—  Religious  consolations  —  Ttianksgiving  for  the  victory  at  New  Orleans  —  A 
ehurch  difBculty  —  Ilarsh  censure  opposed  to  charity  —  Recommends  tenderness 

—  Concert  of  prayer  —  Necessity  of  holiness  —  Cheering  prospects  —  Inquiries 

—  Diligence  in  duty  —  Perseverance  in  prayer —  A  spiritual  child — Preaching 
at  Russelville —  Conclusion  of  a  letter  to  R.  Donnell:  —  Argument  against  the 
Arian's  Christ  —  Human  speculations  —  Nashville  — Meeting  in  the  cabins. 

The  extensiveness  of  Mr.  Ewing's  correspondence 
has  been  already  alluded  to.  He  seems  to  have 
neglected  no  opportunity  of  doing  good  by  the  exercise 
of  his  pen.  Whenever  he  saw  times  and  circumstances 
favorable  for  the  inculcation  of  virtue,  the  correction 
of  vice,  the  encouragement  of  Christian  union,  the 
heahng  of  dissensions,  the  promotion  of  brotherly 
kindness,  or  the  sowing  of  good  seed  for  the  advance- 
ment of  God's  glory  and  man's  best  interests ;  then  he 
was  neither  indolent  nor  lukewarm ;  then  his  voice  was 
raised  and  his  pen  employed  in  behalf  of  divine  truth 
and  human  duty.  In  illustration  of  this,  three  of  his 
letters  are  here  inserted,  which  were  written  at  their 
respective  dates,  to  a  pious  and  intelligent  layman,  an 
elder  in  the  church,  one  of  the  first,  and  probably  at 
the  present  time,  one  of  the  oldest  of  its  living  members, 
■who   still,  honors   his   profession,    and   edifies    by   his 


226  CORRESPONDENCE   WITH   BRETHREN. 

example ;  and  whose  name  will  occupy  a  place  on 
memory's  page,  when  he  shall  have  gone  to  his  reward. 
These  letters  might  have  been  distributed  among  dif- 
ferent chapters,  according  to  their  dates ;  but  it  is 
thought  best  to  give  them  In  consecutive  order.  The 
reader  will  have  no  difficulty  in  understanding  whatever 
is  contained  in  them,  by  referring  to  the  times  at  which 
they  were  written.  The  gentleman  to  whom  they  were 
addressed,  has  been,  since  the  year  1800,  an  elder  in 
the  congregation  of  Big  Spring,  Wilson  county,  Tenn., 
long  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Thomas  Calhoun, 
but  at  present  under  the  care  of  Rev.  P.  Y.  Davis. 

To  Mr.  Alexander  Aston. 

EwiNGsviLLE,  January  28,  1815. 

Dear  Brother  :  —  When  you  feel  impatient,  because  you  do  not 
receive  a  letter  from  me,  please  to  bear  in  mind  that  where  you  are 
disposed  to  write  one  letter,  I  probably  am  compelled  to  write  ten. 

*  #  *  *  I  am  sorry  for  your  affliction,  but  think  you  would 
rather  receive  chiistisement  as  a  son,  than  to  be  without  it  as  a 
bastard.    ***** 

You  ask  for  direction,  "  how  to  keep  out  of  the  way  of  tempta- 
tion ? "  I  really  cannot  tell  you,  unless  you  could  first  contrive  to 
destroy  the  devil ;  for  assuredly  if  he  tempted  our  pure  Lord,  his 
holy  Apostles  &c.,  he  will  not  be  reluctant  nor  slow  to  tempt  you  and 
me.  But,  my  brother,  do  you  not  well  know  that  temptation,  if  success- 
fully resisted,  is  not  sin  ?  Satan  will  worry  whom  he  cannot  devour. 
And  let  us  not  think  strange  concerning  the  fiery  trial  which  is  to  try 
us,  as  though  some  strange  thing  had  happened  unto  us.  For  with 
the  temptation,  he  will  make  a  way  of  escape,  lie  iviU  do  it.  What 
do  Job,  Paul  and,  John  say  ?  "  The  righteous  shall  hold  on  his 
way."  Neither  life  nor  death,  &c.,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from 
the  love  of  God.  He  that  is  born  of  God  cannot  sin,  (that  is  the  sia 
unto  death)  because  his  seed  remaineth  in  him.  But  if  it  were  not 
for  God's  immutable   love,  Christ's  continued  intercession,  the  Holy 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BRETHREN      227 

Ghost's  guiding  into  all  ("necessaiy)  truth,  I  do  believe  the  prince  of 
the  power  of  the  air  would  overcome  us.  Yet  it  is  the  divine 
command  and  our  constant  duty  to  watch  and  pray,  lest  we  enter 
into  temptation.  This  brings  to  mind  the  good  old  doctrine  taught 
in  the  Bible  and  also  in  our  own  creed,  viz  :  grace  and  duty.  I  see 
and  feel  many  difficulties  in  both  flesh  and  spirit  in  my  heavenward 
progress:  but  I  can  say,  hitlierto  the  Lord  has  helped  me.  Last 
Sabbath  week,  he  made  my  heart  sweetly  burn,  while  I  was  trying  to 
expound  his  word,  in  a  new  place,  to  a  most  solemn,  attentive,  and 
feeling  audience.  Thursday  right  following,  at  society  meeting, 
Christ  gave  me  a  most  sweet  report  on  his  soul-animating,  sin-killing 
love.  So  you  see,  God  is  graciously  kind  to  me  ;  for  I  verily  do 
believe,  it  is  among  the  greatest  wonders  of  his  grace  to  visit  such 
a  creature  as  I  with  his  smiles. 

On  Wednesday  evening  last,  we  heard  of  the  great  victory  wliich 
Jackson  and  his  army  achieved  over  our  deadly  enemy.  The  next 
night  we  repaired  to  the  temple  or  place  appointed  for  prayer,  to 
render  unto  the  God  of  battles  thanksgiving  and  praise,  for  his  signal 
interposition.  0,  if  God's  people  would  fast  and  pray  much,  God 
would  establish  our  rights  and  perpetuate  our  liberty. 

Give  my  love  to  Brother  Calhoun,  his  family  and  your  own.  Tell 
your  children  not  to  rest  till  they  know  that  God  is  their  Fatlier, 
Christ  is  their  elder  brother,  and  the  Holy  Ghost  their  sanctifier. 
My  love  to  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  in  sincerity. 

Your  brother,  FINIS  EWING. 

To  Mr.  Alexander  Aston. 

EwiNGSViLLE,  April  4,  1817. 

Dear  Brother  :*****  You  request  that  I  should  write  you 
"  a  strong  letter "  that  will  with  a  blessing  make  you  shout.  I  will 
not  promise  such  a  letter,  but  if  I  should  convict  you,  you  may 
perhaps  rejoice  in  due  season. 

Your  letter  truly  afflicted  me.  I  have  sorrow  of  heart  indeed  for 
the  disturbance  in  your  congregation,  and  particularly  so,  that  it 
happened  at  the  time  it  did.  As  for  Brother  T.  Calhoun,  I  think 
him  incapable  of  doing  a  wrong  action  knoiuingly.     I  am  glad  that 

Brother  F has,  according  to  your  letter,  virtually  cleared  Brother 

Calhoun  of  all  blame.    But  you  say,  if  Brother  Calhoun  had  taken 


228  CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BRETHREN. 

an  active  part  in  helping  his  brother  to  procure  the  vacant  land  near 

Brother  F 's  you  do  not  think  he  would  have  been  to  blame.    I  do 

not  agree  with  you.    Although  the  land  was  vacant,  I  do  not  think  it 

would  have  been  friendly  and  brotherly  not  to  have  told  F ,  as  it 

was  in  his  way,  and  thereby  have  given  him  an  opportunity  to  enter  it. 
But  I  am  glad  Brother  Calhoun  had  nothing  to  do  with  it,  according 
to  his  usual  discretion. 

Now,  my  dear  brother,  allow  me  in  all  faithfulness  to  reprove  you 
for  the  insinuation  that  it  was  faithful  preaching  which  caused  all 
this  disturbance.  This  seems  to  be  entering  into  the  motives  of 
men;  nay  more,  it  seems  to  be  searching  the  heart.     It  is  virtually 

saying  that  F got  angry  and  acted  wickedly,  because  he  heard 

faithful  preaching.  These  hard  censures  seem  somewhat  opposed  to 
that  charity  that  hopeth  and  belioveth  all  things.  Indeed,  my 
brother,  it  seems  contrary  to  that  spirit  which  your  letters  and  con- 
versation generally  breathe.      I  doubt  not  but  Brother  F may 

have  done  wrong ;  but  the  good  book  says,  "  yet  count  him  not  as  an 
enemy,  but  admonish  him  as  a  brother."  He  is  a  man  of  whom  I 
have  thought  highly.  But  he  inherits  human  nature ;  and  I  suppose 
he  thought  himself  ill-treated,  and  gave  way  to  too  much  passion. 
But  I  am  greatly  mistaken,  if  he  be  not  an  honorable  man,  also  if  ho 
have  not  felt  the  power  of  grace  on  his  heart.  With  these  views  I 
would  recommend  that  he  be  treated  with  a  great  deal  of  tenderness. 

I  am  afraid,  my  dear  brother,  there  is  not  so  much  religion  among 
you  as  formerly.  I  judge  from  the  disturbance  of  which  you  speak, 
and  likewise  from  the  spirit  of  your  letter.  For  it  does  not  breathe 
half  so  much  of  the  spirit  of  grace  as  the  letters  you  have  formerly 
written  to  me.  I  am  not  finding  fault  with  the  history  of  the  distur- 
bance you  gave  me ;  for  that  I  thank  you.  But  I  cannot  perceive 
and  do  not  feel  the  holy,  meek,  and  spiritual  strain  in  it  that  is  usual 
from  your  pen. 

Through  the  unmerited  grace  of  a  sovereign  God,  we  are  at  peace 
here  with  one  another ;  and  I  trust  we,  or  the  most  of  us,  often  feel 
peace  with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  We  keep  up  our 
weekly  prayer  meetings,  whether  it  be  cold  or  hot,  dark  or  light ; 
and  for  some  months,  I  think  there  has  not  been  one,  without  mani- 
festations of  God's  sweet  presence.  I  trust  a  great  part  of  the 
congregation  have  made  up  their  minds  to  be  devoted  to  the  Lord 


CORRESPONDENCE  WITH  BRETHREN.  229 

in  all  things.  Latterly,  I  think,  Zion  begins  to  travail.  We  have 
mutually  agreed  to  meet  at  the  divine  throne,  every  evening,  about 
dusk,  to  wrestle  at  the  same  moment,  for  God  to  revive  his  work. 
Will  you  all  join  us  1 

Tell  Brother  Calhoun  that  I  have,  at  times  latterly,  felt  the  most 
acute  pains  and  uncommon  anxiety  for  Zion,  for  the  holiness  of 
God's  ministers  and  people  as  well  as  for  the  salvation  of  sinners 
May  they  who  bear  the  vessels  of  the  Lord  have  clean  hands  and 
pure  hearts.  0  Lord,  give  Zion  purity  and  pangs.  "  O  Lord,  revive 
thy  work."  I  have  for  some  time  past  been  trying  in  my  sermons 
to  inculcate  the  necessity  of  holiness  among  the  Lord's  people,  in 
order  to  the  revival  and  advancement  of  his  gracious  work.  I  find 
just  in  proportion  to  my  living  holy,  I  am  successful  in  inculcating 
holiness  on  God's  people.  0  how  exemplary  ought  all  ministers, 
elders,  church  officers,  and  members  to  be.  Lord  make  us  all  more  so. 
I  think  the  principal  of  our  Academy  and  a  few  more  are  thinking 
seriously  about  their  salvation.  The  work  of  conversion  goes  on  in 
Caldwell.  There  is  a  great  revival  in  New  York.  The  good  work 
is  spreading  in  pagan  lands.  Some  of  the  outcasts  of  Israel  are 
gathering  in.  Romanists  are  abandoning  their  superstitions.  I  cannot 
help  thinking  the  latter-day  glory  is  dawning.    Lord  hasten  it.    *    * 

FINIS  EWING. 

To  Mr,  Alexanda-  Aston. 

EwiNGSviLLE,  Febraary  2,  1819. 
My  good  Brother  Aston:  —  I  received  yours  of  the  10th  ult. 
this  day.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  you  and  family  are  well,  but  more 
pleased  to  learn  that  your  soul  prospers.  Brother  Calhoun  had,  just 
before  I  received  youi*s,  informed  me  of  the  gracious  work  in  progress 
in  your  neighborhood.  I  shall  tell  Mr.  Baker's  relatives  here,  when  I 
see  them,  of  his  having  found  the  pearl  /6f  great  price.  I  know  it 
will  rejoice  their  hearts.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that  brother  Calhoun  is 
so  industrious  in  the  work,  and  that  brother  Dilliard  preached  so 
good  a  sermon  for  you.  Is  he,  with  all  the  other  ministering  brethren 
in  your  Presbytery,  working  while  it  is  called  to-day "?  Are  they 
feeling  and  carrying  about  with  them  daily  the  dying  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  ■?  Are  they  lifting  up  their  voices,  like  trumpets,  crying  aloud 
and  sparing  not  ?     Is  there  a  holy  strife  among  them,  who  shall  do 


230  CORRESPONDENCE   WITH   BRETHREN. 

the  most  good  1  Who  shall  be  most  humble,  most  patient,  most 
meek,  most  zealous,  most  useful?  And  are  the  elders  helping? 
Arc  they  holding  up  the  hands  of  their  ministers'?  Are  they 
encouraging  their  hearts?  Are  they  with  one  accord  rolling  at 
Zion's  wheels,  %\'ithout  fainting  ?  The  work  required  of  preachers, 
elders,  and  laity,  in  promoting  the  good  cause,  is  different  from 
other  kind  of  work :  to  work  very  hard  for  natural  things,  tends  to 
faintness  ;  but  to  work  indolently,  and  do  but  little  in  spiritual  things, 
tends  not  only  to  faintness,  but  del)ility.  It  is  he  that  renews  his 
spiritual  strength  who  shall  run  and  not  grow  weary,  walk  and  not 
faint.  Who  renews  his  strength?  He  that  waiteth  on  the  Lord- 
How  ?  Not  slothfuUy,  nor  seldom,  nor  half-heartedly,  but  humbly, 
feiwently,  diligently,  often.  I  have  thought  that  Christians  ought 
never  to  meet  for  the  purpose  of  social  worship,  and  part  mthout  a 
blessing.  You  may  ask  me  how  they  will  help  it  sometimes  ?  I 
answer,  always,  when  men,  saints  or  sinners,  get  to  the  end  of  their 
own  strength,  God  does  not  defer  to  come.  Then  will  Christians 
meet  and  part  without  a  blessing,  rather  than  row  against  the  sti'cara 
of  self,  till  that  monster  die.  I  have  thought  it  would  be  a  good 
way  for  Christians,  when  they  meet,  to  do  their  duty,  and  if  the 
Lord  does  not  come  to  bless  them,  to  try  again  and  again,  until  he 
does  come.  Frequent  unsuccessful  trials  tend  to  discourage,  I  know ; 
but  they  also  tend  to  empty  us  of  self,  of  wrong  expectations,  of 
dependence  on  men,  means,  &c.  Although  we  have  been  a  thousand 
times  convinced  that  our  strength  is  weakness,  yet  we  are  willing  to 
try  it  again;  and  while  this  is  indii-ectly  the  case,  the  good  Loid  does 
not  bless.  But  repeated  hard  trials  of  our  own  might  are  apt  to 
bring  us  to  our  senses ;  and  whenever  we  are  properly  brought  to  our 
senses,  we  cry  from  the  depth  of  our  hearts,  Lord,  help !  Then  he 
will,  and  always  docs  help. 

1  have  just  returned  from  Russelville,  where  I  have  been  trying  to 
teach  day  and  night,  baptizing  individuals  and  whole  households, 
after  the  example  of  the  Apostles.  The  good  work  is  going  on  there 
in  power.  Last  night  I  found  out  a  well  favored  child  there,  the  sister 
of  a  wealthy  merchant,  who  was  lately  born,  and  claims  one  so  poor 
and  unworthy  as  I  am,  for  her  spiritual  fatiier.  0,  the  amazing 
condescension  of  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  to  use  such  a  worm, 
the  least  of  saints,  the  greatest  of  sinners,  as  an  instrument  to  bring 


CORRESPONDENCE   WITH  BRETHREN.  231 

a  sonl  from  the  confines  of  damnation  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  a 
Christian.  I  will  command  my  heart  to  say,  "  not  unto  us,"  &c.  I 
preached  in  town  night  before  last,  and  invited  those  who  desired 
religion  to  kneel ;  and  we  would  pray  for  them.  I  think  there  were 
at  least  four  score  who  obeyed  the  invitation.  Lord,  carry  on  thy 
work.  In  my  own  neighborhood,  God's  people  —  what  few  remain  — 
now  and  then  get  into  the  banqueting  house.  Last  Thursday  night 
some  sinners  cried  for  mercy.  But  it  seems  as  if  the  society  will 
break  up,  by  removals  to  Missouri.     Then  what  will  I  do  1 

Many  of  my  children  are  unwell  with  something  like  the  influenza ; 
but  I  hope  God  will  heal  them.  Give  my  love  to  all  the  brethren, 
and  accept  for  yourself  assurances  of  brotherly  love, 

FINIS  EWING. 

The  following  is  the  conclusion  of  a  letter  of  two 
sheets  to  Rev.  Robert  Donnell ;  the  entire  first  sheet  13 
wanting ;  and  of  course  its  date  cannot  be  ascertained. 
It  may  be  inserted  here.  It  contains  some  of  the 
writer's  views  on  the  atonement,  the  divinity  of  Jesus 
Christ,  &c.  The  letter  was  probably  written  and  the 
discourse  referred  to,  preached  during  the  memorable 
period  when  the  New  Lights  almost  appeared  to  be 
"  compassing  sea  and  land  to  make  one  proselyte  to 
their  Arian  heresy  : " 

r  have  this  day  (for  you  will  remember  this  is  Sabbath  evening, 
my  family  have  retired  to  rest)  tried  to  preach  from  these  words  : 
"  For  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made 
a  curse  for  us."  In  treating  the  subject,  my  mind  was  led  to  some 
thoughts  not  common  to  myself.  First,  it  was  not  necessary  that  the 
law  should  have  been  revealed  to  Adam  in  his  primitive  state,  in  the 
same  manner  it  was  revealed  to  fallen  men.  "  It  was  added,"  says 
the  Apostle,  "  because  of  transgression,"  that  is,  it  wa^,  written  so 
definitely,  that  the  transgressor,  however  blind,  &c.,  who  would  read, 
would  feel  more  or  less  guilt,  which  naturally  would,  or  ought  to 
excite  an  inquiry,  how  shall  I  be  delivered  from  this  guilt  ?    Not  so 


232  CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    BRETHREN. 

with  pure  Adam :  he  was  made  in  the  model  of  the  law.  His  soul 
was  like  it.  He  naturally  breathed  its  very  essence  and  principles. 
It  was  engraven  on  his  heart ;  and  his  nature  was  to  obey  the  law  he 
loved. 

Again,  in  speaking  of  Christ,  the  substitute,  who  obeyed  the  law 
and  suffered  its  penalty  for  men ;  I  was  led  to  contemplate  the 
Arian's  Christ,  and  what  the  law  would  say  to  him ;  the  conclusion 
was  irresistible  that  the  law  would  demand  from  him  just  what  it 
does  from  Gabriel  and  Adam.  And  though  he  surpass  Gabriel  by 
countless  millions  of  degrees,  the  law  commands  him  to  love  the 
Lord  his  God  with  all  his  heart,  &c.  Then  where  is  any  obedience 
or  sufl^ring  to  spare,  or  satisfy  for  another  ?  The  infinite  fund  of 
righteousness,  of  which  McWhirter  so  forcibly  speaks,  would  dwindle 
into  less  than  a  mere  mite,  a  negative  quantity  of  nothing. 

I  am  pleased  to  hear  of  the  friendly  disposition  of  Mi-.  Anderson, 
with  whom  you  say  you  rode  and  conversed.  But  I  really  think,  if 
his  subtle  distinctions  and  little  refinements,  upon  stubborn  truth,  the 
plain  simple  gospel  plan,  were  laid  aside,  and  the  time  which  it  takes 
to  study  out,  communicate,  and  maintain  these  little  ingenious 
nothings,  were  spent  in  praying  for  sinners,  and  devising  the  best 
methods  of  catching  them  in  the  gospel  net,  it  might  be  better  for 
the  world.  My  heart  sickens  when  I  think  how  large  a  portion  of 
the  religious  w'orld  have  spent  precious  time,  squandered  promising 
talents,  and  written  many  volumes,  upon  what  can  be  regarded  as 
nothing  better  than  a  little  wood,  hay,  or  stubble  —  engendering 
feuds.  What  a  shame,  nay  more,  what  a  sin  for  a  Christian  to  be 
disputing  about  questions  and  words  to  no  profit.  Truth  revealed, 
to  be  sure,  is  valuable  in  all  its  parts  ;  but  let  us  ever  hold  hum.an 
speculations  to  be  of  minor  importance.  Let  fundamental  truths  and 
their  practical  influence  on  our  hearts  and  on  our  hearers  ever  be 
uppermost  in  our  minds. 

This  day,  has  returned  my  desire  for  meeting  you  in  Nashville,  to 
hold  a  sacramental  meeting.  My  impressions  are  strong  that  this  is 
our  duty.  I  believe  you  knoW  me  to  be  not  very  enthusiastic ;  yet 
such  are  my  yearnings  of  spirit  over  that  place,  that  I  cannot  remove 
it  from  my  thoughts.  Who  knows  but  God  has  much  people  there, 
whose  condition  and  character  might  be  developed,  even  by  the 
Cumberland    Presbyterians    holding   a  communion    in   the   place. 


CORRESPORDENCE  WITH  BRETHREN.  233 

Could  you  not  make  the  necessary  arrangements  1  And  let  the 
meeting  be  as  soon  as  the  weather  will  admit :  say  the  middle  of 
April. 

We  have  recently  moved  into  our  little  cabins.  On  some  accounts 
the  change  is  rather  disagreeable.  But  you  know  that  not  only 
cabins,  but  prisons  would  palaces  prove,  if  Christ  were  with  us.  We 
have  had  one  prayer  meeting  since  we  moved ;  and  the  Lord  was 
present.     O,  the  condescension  of  our  dear  Lord  Jesus. 

Two  poor  immortals,  black  men,  were  condemned  to  be  hung,  at 
our  last  court,  for  an  attempt  to  kill  a  tyrannical  master.  They  are 
to  be  executed  on  the  9th  of  next  month. 

My  fingers  are  becoming  tired,  and  my  second  sheet  nearly  filled. 
I  must  conclude,  by  requesting  you  to  pray  for  me  and  mine,  hoping 
you  will  take  example  from  my  quantity,  not  my  quality,  and  write  as 
long  an  answer.  You  cannot  be  at  a  loss  for  matter,  when  you  have 
a  divine  Saviour  to  write  about.  Remember  me  most  affectionately 
to  Brother  Erwin  and  lady,  and  receive  ray  assurances  of  unaltered 
esteem  and  regai-d.  FINIS  EWING. 

20 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
CORRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED. 

Inducements  to  emigrate  —  Removals  from  Lebanon  —  Character  of  the  emigrants 
—  Labors  of  Messrs.  Bourne  and  Tandy  —  A  -wise  ProTidence — Letter  to  R. 
Donnell  —  Discouragements  —  Regard  foj:  King  —  Submission  —  Signs  of  the 
millenium  —  Brought  in  by  means  —  Christian  duty  —  Death  of  McGready 
and  McGee  —  Letter  to  W.  Harris  —  Bible  ajid  Missionary  Societies  —  Request 
of  a  Chillicothe  editor  —  Letter  to  R.  Donnell  —  Motives  for  obeying  a  call  — 
Devices  of  Satan  —  Paul  —  Bible  Society  —  Its  patrons  —  Other  Societies  —  How 
to  be  sustained  —  Mammon  —  Parental  Solicitude  —  Ewing's  temperament- 
Letter  to  R.  Donnell  —  Tender  affection  —  Camp  meeting  at  Lebanon  —  Thirty 
professions. 

The  people  of  the  west  have  rendered  themselves 
remarkable  for  their  love  of  change  and  repeated 
removals  in  order  to  improve  their  circumstances.  This 
is  appHcable  to  a  considerable  portion  of  the  first  settlers 
of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  No  sooner  were  the 
government  lands  in  the  new  territories  oflfered  for  sale, 
than  a  desire  sprung  up  in  many  an  agricultural  commu- 
nity to  go  and  possess  them.  Many  who  had  originally 
purchased  land  at  a  low  rate,  seeing  the  enhancement 
which  time  and  industry  had  wrought  in  its  value, 
were  anxious  to  repeat  the  experiment  on  a  still  larger 
scale,  in  the  fertile  regions  of  the  south  and  west.  The 
privations  and  hardships  of  a  new  country  had  few 
terrors  to  them ;  they  had  encountered  and  endured 
them   all.     It   was   not  so   with   the  emigrants  from 


CGRUESPONDENCE  CONTINUED.        235 

Virginia  and  the  Carolinas,  who  were  leaving  their 
•worn  out  lands  at  home  for  the  rich  soil  of  a  new 
country.  These,  having  been  always  accustomed  to  an 
improved  and  somewhat  polished  state  of  society,  had 
no  fancy  for  the  wilderness.  Their  fortunes  could  be 
as  much  improved,  hy  purchasing  lands  of  the  Kentucky 
and  Tennessee  farmers,  as  those  of  the  latter  could  be 
by  their  sale  and  the  possession  of  a  number  of  acres, 
many  times  multiplied,  in  the  new  territories.  The 
prospects  as  well  as  the  offers  were  tempting  to  both 
parties ;  and  in  a  few  years,  great  numbers  of  Tennes- 
seans  and  Kentuckians  were  found  dispersed  over  the 
then  territories  of  Alabama,  Mississippi,  lUinois,  Mis- 
souri, and  Arkansas. 

A  very  large  emigration  to  Missouri  from  Mr.  Ewing*s 
oongregation  occurred,  between  181T  and  1820 ;  inso- 
much that  old  Lebanon,  the  mother  of  churches  and  the 
glory  of  southern  Kentucky,  became  a  feeble  congrega- 
tion. And  although  the  revival  continued  in  various 
places,  in  some  with  great  power,  this  neighborhood 
became  like  Egypt,  when  "  a  new  king  arose  who  knew 
not  Joseph ; ""  and  the  hearts  of  the  few  Cumberland 
Presbyterians  who  still  remained  were  only  occasionally 
cheered  by  witnessing  conversions  in  their  midst. 
The  new  comers  were  a  highly  respectable  and  wealthy 
class  of  people,  but  were  not  generally  very  favorably 
disposed  towards  religion ;  and  those  among  them 
■who  were  so,  had  very  little  love  for  Presbyterianism. 
Besides  they  had  come  here  to  repair  or  increase  their 
fortunes,  and  advance  the  interests  of  their  families ; 


2Sf6  CORRESPONDENCE    CONTINUEIy. 

and  the  fertility  of  the  soil  promising  to  their  industry 
the  highest  rewards,  the  great  strife  among  them  seemed 
to  be,  who  should  raise  the  largest  crops  of  tobacco  and 
other  products,  according  to  their  number  of  working 
hands.  Hence  they  had  but  little  time  to_^  devote  to 
religion,  and  in  some  cases  less  inclination  to  consider  this 
all-important  subject.  And  it  was  not  until  some  time 
after  the  removal  of  the  great  body  of  Mr. .  Ewing^s 
congregation  and  of  their  pastor,  that  religion  seemed 
in  any  good  degree  to  revive  in  that  neighborhood. 
This  was  eflfected  through  the  instrumentality  of  two 
truly  pious  and  devoted  Baptist  ministers,  Rev.  Messrs, 
Tandy  and  Bourne,  who  laudably  taking  advantage  of 
whatever  early  religious  prepossessions  still  existed 
among  these  people,  and  preaching  to  them  in  the 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  with  power,  a  blessed 
work  of  grace  ensued.  The  result  was,  flourishing 
Baptist  churches  were  collected  on  the  very  ground 
once  occupied  by  the  Lebanon  congregation. 

Mr.  Ewing,  seeing  the  families  of  his  congregation 
removing  and  their  places  occupied  by  those  who  were 
not  at  the  time  a  church-going  people,  and  some  of  them; 
not  very  strict  observers  of  the  Sabbath,  became  greatly 
discouraged,  still  crying  to  the  Lord  for  help.  Although 
his  letters  to  Rev.  Wilham  Harris  suffered  the  disaster 
of  being  saturated  with  water,  and  are  much  mutilated, 
enough  can  be  read  to  show  the  anguish  of  his  spirit  at 
this  juncture.  And  a  knowledge  of  the  facts  above  stated 
will  explain  some  otherwise  obscure  passages  in  his  cor- 
respondence with  Rev.  Robert  Donnell. 


CORBESPONDENCE  C0J7TINUED.  237 

But  here  let  us  pause  to  admire  the  inscrutablenesa 
of  an  all-wise  and  merciful  Providence,  whose  desim  in 
the  foregoing  occurrences  doubtless  was,  and  the  event 
has  fullj  demonstrated,  that  this  congregation  and  their 
pastor  himself  should  go  forth  into  the  new  Missouri 
Territory,  scattering  the  good  seed  broadcast  and  erect- 
ing the  standard  of  the  cross  in  various  places,  where  he 
and  they^ could  accomplish  ten  times  as  much  for  the 
Saviour's  cause  as  they  could  ever  do  in  Kentucky. 

To  Rev.  Roha't  Donnell. 

EwiNGsviLLE,  January  23d,  1818, 
Mt  Deae  Bkother  :  —  I  received  and  read  yours  of  two  sheets, 
on  yesterday.  Its  contents  were  very  interesting  and  rather  pro- 
voking :  1  wish  I  were  more  easily  provoked.  I  wish  I  had  as  good 
news  to  communicate  as  I  received  in  yours  ;  but  alas  the  remainder 
of  the  vine  left  here  seems  not  in  a  very  flourishing  condition.  Yet 
God  comforts  his  people ;  and  now  and  then  in  the  suburbs  around, 
truth  finds  its  way  to  a  sinner's  heart.  At  a  place  wliere  I  had  meet- 
ing, last  Sabbath,  in  the  day  and  at  night,  an  old  inebriate,  a  Roman 
Catholic,  was  seriously  afi'ected.  This  circunistance  and  some  others 
similar,  bring  to  recollection  the  truth  of  your  remark,  "  that  God  can 
work  on  the  hearts  of  the  emigrants."  Yes,  it  is  true,  he  can ;  but  it 
is  not  so  probable  that  he  will,  especially  on  those  who  will  not  often 
hear  his  word,  and  who  seem  to  bend  every  power  of  soul  and  body 
to  the  augmentation  of  their  god  mammon,  to  as  large  a  size  as 
possible.  I  am  often  in  a  strait,  and  know  not  what  kind  Heaven 
designs  to  do ;  but  desire  with  humble  submission  to  say,  "  0  Lord, 
thy  will  be  done." 

***** 

I  would  be  extremely  glad  to  meet  you  and  Brother  King  in  Nash- 
ville. I  am  anxious  to  see  you  both,  hear  you  preach,  and  talk  with 
you  about  Zion's  precious  interests.  For  notwithstanding  Brother 
King  and  I  take  different  views  and  maintain  different  sides  of  the 
same  question,  in  our  judicatures,  as  an  old  associate,  as  one  who 
has  helped   rac  to  "  bear  the   burden  and   heat  of  the  day,"  as  aa 


238        COKRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED. 

eminent  Christian  and  faithful  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  feel  my 
heart  knit  to  him,  as  was  David's  to  Jonathan. 

Can  yon  not  so  arrange  that  when  you  visit  Nashville,  you  can 
proceed  to  my  house,  with  your  manuscript.  1  wish  much  to  see  it. 
But  I  wish  to  see  you  with  it.  I  hope  you  will  publish  that  discourse. 
I  think  it  is  due  to  the  memory  of  the  deceased  as  well  as  to  the 
church  of  God. 

Were  I  to  consult  only  my  inclmation,  I  would  soon  visit  your 
country ;  but  duty  to  a  large  family  as  well  as  to  God's  people  who 
still  continue  here,  frequently  forbid  my  following  my  own  inclina- 
tion. If  I  were  to  go,  I  might  have  some  desire  to  attend  the  land 
sales,  but  I  think  a  still  greater  desire  to  be  at  a  good  camp  meeting. 

I  am  about  to  settle  a  new  place  in  this  neighborhood ;  but  my 
6tay  at  it  is  very  uncertain.  Yet  your  suggestion  about  my  continuing 
somewhere  nearer  the  centre  of  our  religious  connection  than  Mis- 
souri, has  had  considerable  weight  on  my  mind.  Your  last,  indeed, 
in  many  parts,  has  had  more  than  ordinary  weight,  and  called  up 
many  reflections.  I  do  wish  you  would  cry  mightily  to  God,  to 
make  his  will  known  to  me  in  all  things.  Seldom  do  I  approach 
the  throne  in  secret,  but  you,  in  particular,  are  a  subject  of  a  part  of 
my  poor  petitions.     This  is  my  duty,  my  privilege. 

Last  Sabbath  I  tried  to  preach  from  "  God  forbid  that  I  should 
glory,  save  in  the  cross  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  I  felt  aid.  I 
trust  the  word  had  some  good  effect.  Last  night  I  attended  prayer 
meeting,  and  got  a  sweet  repast  to  my  poor  soul.  Altlwugh  the 
meeting  in  general  was  not  as  lively  as  usual,  I  think  I  had  stronger 
faith  than  common.  I  had  been  reading  the  Herald  and  your  letter, 
both  of  which  tended  to  stir  up  what  little  of  the  grace  of  faith  I 
possessed.  I  sometimes  have  pleasing  anticipations  of  a  general 
work  of  God,  throughout  the  habitable  globe.  But  when  I  witness 
around  me,  among  the  new  emigrants,  so  much  inattention  to 
eternal  things,  I  feel  somewhat  discouraged.  I  am,  however,  less 
local  in  my  feelings  on  this  subject  than  formerly.  Although  it 
would  be  exceedingly  pleasant  for  us  to  see  all  with  whom  we  are 
conversant,  or  have  intercourse,  bow  to  the  divine  sceptre,  yet  God 
is,  perhaps,  as  much  glorified  in  the  conversion  of  an  idolatrous 
Pagan  priest,  as  in  a  gospel  hardened  sinner.  But  surely  the  signs 
of  the  times  indicate  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  is  about  to 
take  to  himself  his  great  power,  and  reigu  gloriously.     Cannot  we 


CORRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED.        239 

already  begin  to  hear  the  distant  sound  of  some  of  the  first  blasts 
of  the  frump  which  is  to  proclaim  the  jubilee  to  the  church  1  Lord, 
hasten  it.  Although  I  love  my  family,  and  do  not  regret  that  I  have 
one,  yet  I  sometimes  almost  envy  you  your  gloi-ious  privilege  of 
devoting  yourself  entirely  and  uninterruptedly  to  the  -work  of  God 
—  to  insti-umentally  ushering  in  that  long  expected,  long  prayed  for, 
and  glorious  Sabbatic  year  —  I  mean  the  millenium.  I  am  more 
than  ever  convinced  that  this  blessed  period  is  not  far  distant,  and  is 
to  be  brought  about  by  means,  and  not  by  miracles,  I  may  not  live 
to  see  it;  you  may  not;  but  still  it  will  come  with  its  manifold 
blessings.  The  Christian,  whether  in  a  public  or  private  capacity, 
who  folds  his  hands  and  cries  "  a  little  more  sleep,"  &c.,  seems 
doubly  guilty.  The  twilight  of  the  blessed  day  seems  to  beckon  to 
all  the  spiritual  husbandmen  to  be  up  and  doing,  to  turn  into  the 
vast  field,  each  in  his  own  sphere,  and  become  -'workers  together 
with  God."  O,  if  the  most  obscure  and  humble  Christian,  male  or 
female,  would  only  consider  what  he  or  she  could  do  by  prayer, 
faith,  zeal,  example,  contributions,  &c.,  towards  ushering  in  the 
latter-day  glory,  surely  they  would  crucify  the  flesh,  abandon  all 
false  delicacy,  and  push  in  good  earnest  at  Zion's  wheels.  The 
opportunity  of  being  instrumental  in  saving  a  soul,  will  soon,  very 
soon,  be  eternally  at  an  end,  as  respects  all  who  now  live  on  the 
earth.  Ought  not  every  one  who  names  the  name  of  Christ,  often 
to  ask  him  or  herself,  have  I  this  day.  this  week,  this  month,  done 
all  I  could  for  the  salvation  of  sinners,  for  the  coming  of  the  kingdom 
of  God  1 

It  is  my  painful  task  to  announce  that  another  "great  man  in 
Israel  has  fallen !  "  Father  McGready  is  no  more !  Yet  he  livefh. 
For  faithfulness  and  usefulness  he  left  behind  few,  if  any,  equals. 
This  is  a  great  loss  to  mankind,  and  especially  to  that  branch  of 
the  church  to  which  he  belonged.  But  his  Master  called  for  him, 
and  he  has  gone  to  wear  that  crown  in  which,  I  doubt  not.  there  are 
many  stars.  I  cannot  help  trembling  for  the  cause  when  such  men 
as  AIcGee  and  McGready  are  called  from  Zion's  walls.  O  Lord, 
help  us  to  make  a  right  improvement  of  these  solemn  dispensations, 
and  do,  0  Lord,  supply  their  placets  in  the  church.  Give  ray  love  to 
your  landlord  and  lady.  I  love  them  because  they  love  you  and  the 
church  of  God.  Yours,  in  bonds  stronger  than  death, 

FINIS  EWING. 


240  CORRESPONDENCE    CONTINUED. 

To  Rev.  William  Hairis. 

EwiNGsviLLE,  January  2'lth,  1818. 

Dear  Brother  :  —  I  received  yours  -written  at  Russelville,  advis- 
ing me  that  the  constitutions  of  our  Bible  and  Female  Missionary 
Societies  have  been  published ;  since  which  I  have  received  and 
distributed  the  copies.  I  am  afraid  we  will  not  succeed  well  in  these 
two  enterprises,  in  this  part  of  the  country,  owing  principally  to  the 
clause  which  binds  the  member  and  his  purse  for  life.  I  am  extremely 
sorry  that  the  clause  was  admitted ;  since  it  can  answer  no  good 
purpose.  The  very  nature  of  the  institution  would  preclude  coercion 
in  case  of  refusal  or  neglect  to  pay ;  and  many  may  be  frightened 
from  joining  at  all.  I  do  not  anticipate  any  remarkable  success, 
till  that  clause  is  altered ;  but  mean  to  do  all  I  can  to  increase  our 
subscriptions  and  members.  Was  any  one  appointed  to  preach  a 
sermon  at  the  first  meeting  of  the  managers  ?  If  not,  ought  not 
yourself  or  some  one  to  prepare  a  discourse  adapted  to  the  occasion  ? 
And  ought  not  notice  to  be  publicly  given,  that  such  discourse  will  be 
preached  ?  Whom  shall  we  appoint  President  and  Corresponding 
Secretary "?  I  assure  you,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  decide.  We  want  quali- 
fied men  who  are  not  merely  friends  of  the  Bible,  but  who  are  ardent 
and  zealous  for  its  universal  circulation,  men  who  have  a  mind  for 
the  work. 

With  regard  to  the  request  that  I  would  write  out  a  synopsis  of 
our  doctrinal  views  with  their  effects,  for  the  Chillicothe  paper,  I 
must  say,  I  have  neither  sufficient  leisure  nor  (you  will  pardon  me) 
much  inclination  to  do  so.  Surely  the  editor  has  seen  Buck's  Theo- 
logical Dictionary,  if  not  our  Confession  of  Faith.     If  he  has  seen 

neither,   Mr.   S has  seen  both.      With    respect  to  the    effects 

produced,  I  thought,  and  presume  he  thinks,  Mr.  S tells  him  of 

these,  every  time  he  communicates  to  him  on  the  subject.  There  is 
something  implied  in  the  editor's  request  with  which  I  am  not  fully 
satisfied.     But  if  you  think  proper,  I  am  willing  that  you  or  Mr. 

S should  comply  with  the  editor's  request. 

****** 

My  love  to  Sister  Hams,  my  namesake,  and  your  family,  and 
believe  me  to  be,  as  ever, 

Your  devoted  brother, 

FINIS  EWING. 


CORRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED.         241 

To  Ilcv.  Robert  Donnell. 

EwiNGSviLLE,  March  18th,  1818. 
Dear  Robert:  *  *  *  *  In  part  I  tliink  I  understand 
your  feelings,  on  the  subject  of  your  call  to  preach  at  Nashville.  I 
would  heartily  say  with  you,  if  it  be  the  mind  of  the  Lord,  and  be 
will  bo  with  you,  I  wish  you  to  go,  but  not  otherwise.  I  am  glad  you 
seem  so  deeply  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  humility :  "  He  that 
abaseth  himself  shall  be  exalted."  With  this  sentiment  ever  impressed 
on  your  heart,  I  would  advise  you  to  make  the  attempt,  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  to  save  some  of  the  precious  souls  in  that  city.  But  it 
money,  or  popularity,  enter  but  partially  into  your  views,  in  attending 
to  the  call  of  those  people,  I  would  advise  j'ou  not  to  go :  for  in  that 
case  God  would  curse  and  ultimately  disgrace  you.  I  would  observe, 
however,  that  there  is  a  great  ditference  between  the  admission  into  the 
heart,  of  a  desire  for  "  filthy  lucre  "  or  vain  glory,  and  a  temptation 
to  these  things.  The  former  brings  darkness  and  the  frowns  of 
Jehovah,  while  the  latter,  if  vigorously  resisted  with  unceasing 
prayer,  does  not  even  leave  guilt  on  the  conscience.  The  devil 
knows  the  tender,  as  well  as  the  unsanctificd,  parts  of  gospel  min- 
isters ;  consequently,  he  sometimes  tempts  them  to  mercenary  and 
improper  motives,  with  a  mere  design  to  make  them  so  strongly 
suspect  themselves  that  they  ai-e  afraid  to  do  duty,  lest  they  should 
do  it  from  improper  motives.  I  imagine  this  device  of  Satan  is  not 
at  all  uncommon  with  the  man  on  whom  the  Lord  lays  the  necessity  to 
preach,  about  the  time  he  is  first  determining  whether  he  will  submit 
to  the  call  or  not.  "  We  are  not  ignorant  of  Satan's  devices." 
With  regard  to  any  danger  from  the  heart  becoming  lifted  up  by 
the  flattering  attentions  and  applause  of  men,  a  good  way  to  put  it 
down  is  to  ask  ourselves,  who  maketh  us  to  differ  1  &c.  And  what 
have  we  that  we  do  not  receive  from  the  Lord  ?  Paul  was  the 
greatest  of  the  Apostles.  He  abounded  most  in  visions  and  the 
work  of  the  Lord.  Yet  I  am  persuaded,  if  we  except  holy  John,  that 
he  was  the  most  humble  among  the  twelve. 

As  to  my  preaching  in  Nashville,  once  a  month,  I  am  not  yet 
impressed  that  it  is  the  mind  of  the  Lord.  If  I  should  be.  I  would  wish 
ever  to  feel  the  readiness  of  the  Prophet,  and  say,  "  Lord,  here  am  I," 
&c.  You  seem  to  lay  heavy,  if  not  grievious  burdens  upon  me,  in 
requiring  me  to  go  to  Canaan,  to  Nashville  and  to  write  for  the 
church.    I  do  not  say,  you  do  not  touch  them  yourself;  but  I  do  say 

21 


242  CORRESPONDENCE    C0NTINU£1>. 

your  friendship,  zeal,  &c.,  have  caused  you,  at  least  partially,  to  forget 
that  thei-e  are  many  precious  souls  in  this  region  of  country,  and 
that  I  must  pay  some  attention  to  the  support,  education,  moral 
training,  &c.,  of  my  own  household.  However  I  am  much  better 
pleased  with  the  spiritual  eyes  that  see  so  much  to  do,  that  they 
excite  their  possessor  to  do  all  he  can  himself  and  to  call  for  help 
from  every  quarter,  than  with  those  eyes  that  see  but  little  necessity 
for  exertion.  I  will  say  it  is  barely  possible  that  brother  William 
Barnett  and  myself  may  attend  your  sacrament  at  Canaan,  and 
preach  at  Nashville  on  our  way  to,  and  from  that  place.    *    *    * 

The  managers  of  the  Green  River  Bible  Society  held  their  first 
meeting  in  Russelville,  about  ten  days  since.  The  friends  of  the 
Bible  are  encouraged,  hoping  the  institution  will  prosper.  I,  as  a 
manager,  have  been  trying  to  exite  my  brother  managers  to  emulation 
by  industry  in  the  good  cause.  Before  the  first  meeting  I  collected 
more  money  than  any  other  individual.  Before  the  last,  brother 
Wm.  Barnett,  with  the  aid  of  a  few  auxiliaries,  collected  more  than 
I  did.  But  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  he  and  I  collected  more  than  all 
the  balance  of  twenty  managers.  I  mention  the  circumstance  to 
inform  you,  that  as  yet,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  are  the 
principal  patrons  of  the  institution ;  although  they  have  but  one 
fourth  part  in  its  management.  I  expect,  however,  that  it  will  bo 
more  liberally  patronized  by  the  three  other  sects  before  long.  A  tract 
society  also  has  been  formed,  which  has  begun  to  distribute  its  tracts. 
I  anticipate  great  benefit  to  the  church,  from  these  and  other  similar 
institutions,  contemplated  in  this  part  of  the  country.  Not  long 
since,  a  female  missionary  society  was  organized  in  this  and  brother 
Barnett's  congregations ;  and  the  Logan  Presbytery  has  appointed  a 
missionary  board.  If  this  should  become  general  or  universal,  as  I 
trust  in  God  it  will,  through  the  bounds  of  our  operations,  we  may 
anticipate  incalculably  good  results.  A  little  retrenchment  of 
unnecessary  expenses,  the  practice  of  a  little  economy  and  self-denial 
—  all  acting  in  concert  —  would  enable  the  females  who  are  friends 
to  Zion  to  keep  constantly  employed  a  number  of  faithful,  zealous, 
missionaries,  on  our  frontiers  and  elsewhere,  whose  labors,  I  doubt 
not,  God  would  own  and  bless  to  the  salvation  of  many  immortal 
souls.  And  0,  my  God,  what  female,  who  loves  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  would  not  content  herself  with  a  less  splendid  dress,  and  deny 
herself  other  ornaments  of  the  body,  to  become  the  means  of  saving 


CORRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED.        243 

a  soul  from  eternal  death !  I  do  trust  and  believe  the  time  is  fast 
approaching  when  the  true  followers  of  Chi-ist  will  see  and  feel  the 
necessity  of  doing  as  well  as  talking.  I  think  God,  in  his  providence 
and  grace,  is  about  to  bring  the  Christian  world  to  the  touch-stone 
of  experiment.  Hitherto  we  Iiave  professed  to  love  God,  the  eternal, 
supremely ;  while  our  practice  seemed  to  bear  but  too  strong 
testimony  that  mammon  was  supreme  in  our  affections,  by  the  dcatli- 
grip  we  would  hold  on  to  him.  But,  by  the  rolling  on  of  the 
mysterious  wheels  of  divine  providence,  so  many  objects,  calling  for 
money,  begin  to  present  themselves  in  succession  —  all  too  having 
for  their  aim  and  end  the  honor  of  God,  and  the  advancement  of  his 
kingdom  —  that,  I  think,  those  who  are,  and  those  who  are  not,  on 
the  Lord's  side  must  soon  show  themselves.  Doubtless  that  short, 
simple,  and  oft  repeated  maxim,  "  ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mam- 
mon "  has  by  many  been  but  imperfectly  understood. 

Your  letter  and  one  received  at  the  same  time  from  brother  McLin, 
produced  in  my  mind  unusual  sensations.  I  do  think  God  made 
them  a  blessing  to  my  soul ;  although  they  gave  rise  to  some  embar- 
rassment with  regard  to  certain  subjects  therein  touched.  I  read 
them  to  the  congregation,  and,  I  trust,  not  without  good  effect.  If 
you  take  many  hasty  journeys,  I  hope  you  will  not  neglect  to  write ", 
for  if  you  cannot  do  otherwise,  you  can  once  a  week  take  an  hour 
from  the  time  allotted  to  sleep,  to  drop  a  line  to  your  obliged  but 
unworthy  friend. 

It  made  my  soul  rejoice,  when  I  heard  that  your  good  landlord's 
heart  caught  fire  in  Nashville.  I  do  wish  in  m}-  soul  the  whole  town 
had  become  conflagrated  to  the  consumption  of  sin.  The  wrath  of 
God' will  ultimately  burn  to  the  lowest  hell ;  and  the  love  of  God  in 
the  regenerated  heart  will  burn  to  the  highest  heaven. 

Remember  me  most  affectionately  to  dear  Bro.  Erwin  and  his 
excellent  lady.  Tell  them  that  I  want  them,  especially  when  their 
hearts  are  right  warm  with  divine  love,  to  pray  much  for  me  and  my 
household.  0,  yes,  for  my  household  too.  My  heart  is  afflicted. 
If  indeed,  God  ever  designs  to  save  my  family,  he  seems  long  to 
delay  his  coming.  I  know  he  is  just.  But  0,  the  anxiety  of  parental 
hearts !  If  I  have  friends  among  the  brethren  in  your  part,  I  would 
authorize  you,  nay,  I  would  enjoin  it  on  you,  to  enlist  them  to 
besiege  a  divine  throne  in  behalf  of  my  unconverted  family,  begging 
the  Lord  to  save  them,  not  for  mine,  but  for  Jesus'  sake. 


244        CORRESPOA'DENCE  CONTINUED. 

If  you  should  conclude  to  preach  in  Nashville  statedly,  I  do  hope 
you  will  novf  and  then  slip  over  to  Christian  county,  and  I  may 
sometimes  slip  over  to  Nashville,  when  you  are  there.  I  sometimes 
feel  very  much  as  you  expressed  yourself  in  your  last,  that  I  wanted 
to  preach  everywhere,  and  yet  it  seems  difficult  to  get  to  but  com- 
paratively few  places.    Lord,  send  more  laborers. 

We  have  in  this  Presbytery  at  present,  some  promising  young 
men,  who  are  on  trial.  I  trust  God,  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard,  will 
give  them  large  hire,  in  souls,  for  their  labors  of  love. 

I  trust  I  was  assisted  on  last  Sabbath  in  preaching  from  •'  And 
whatsoever  is  born  of  God  overcometh  the  world ;  and  this  is  the 
victory  that  overcometh  the  world,  even  our  faith."  It  seemed  that 
mammon  was  compelled  to  yield  in  the  minds  of  many,  and  become 
subservient  to  the  cause  of  the  only  wise  God. 

When  you  see  the  brethren  in  the  ministry,  give  my  love  to  them 
all,  and  receive  for  yourself  what  can  be  felt,  but  not  expressed. 

FINIS  EWING. 

P.  S.  I  was  pleased  to  learn  from  brother  Bamett,  that  brother 
King's  zeal  burns  like  fire,  Lord,  increase  it  in  the  hearts  of  all  thy 
ministers.  F.  E. 

Mr.  Ewing  was,  as  the  reader  by  this  time  must 
have  learned,  a  man  of  ardent  temperament.  His 
sensibiUties  were  acute,  and  his  feehngs  strong.  While 
he  had  no  very  high  regard  for  the  dull  and  lukewarm 
professor,  his  tender  sympathies  Avere  always  awake 
in  behalf  of  the  zealous  and  devoted  Christian.  And 
while  he  seemed  to  exercise  but  little  patience  with  the 
minister  of  the  gospel  who  could  indulge  in  ease  and 
indolence,  his  heart  glowed  with  fraternal  affection  for 
the  man  who  gave  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  If  neglect  of  duty  aroused  his  indignation, 
faithfulness  and  devotedness  excited  his  gratitude,  and 
won  his  love.     And  whether  the  current  of  his  feelings 


CORRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED.         245 

partook  of  the  character  of  the  storm  or  the  zephyr, 
it  was  generally  guided  by  reason,  and  controlled  by 
principle.  His  letters  to  Rev.  Robert  Donnell,  whom 
he  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  laborious  and  useful 
ministers  of  his  day,  abound  with  delicate  expressions 
of  friendship  and  love.  These  have  been  omitted, 
because  they  may  not  be  consonant  with  the  taste  of 
general  readers.  One  specimen,  however,  may  be 
admitted  in  the  following  : 

To  Rev.  Robeii.  Donnell. 

EwiNGSviLLE,  June  27th,  1818. 
My  Dear  Donnell  :  —  You  may  begin  to  charge  me  with  neglect 
ere  you  receive  this,  but  I  was  reluctant  to  write  until  after  our 
camp  meeting  at  this  place,  which  included  the  last  Sabbath.  If  I 
neglect  you,  I  shall  act  very  contrary  to  the  constant  feelings  of  my 
heart.  For  I  can  assure  you,  my  late  agreeable  interview  with  you 
did  not  lessen  my  former  attachment,  but  strongly  increased  it. 
However  deficient  and  wretched  I  am  myself,  there  is  something  in 
me  that  spontaneously  flows  towards  that  man  who  abounds  in  the 
good  work  of  God.  Such  I  will  esteem  highly  for  their  works'  sake 
and  the  Lord's  sake.  I  would  seriously  doubt  my  i-eligion  if  my 
heart  were  capable  of  feeling  cold  towards  a  minister  of  Christ, 
whose  soul  and  body  are,  from  day  to  day,  laboriously  employed  for 
the  welfare  of  Zion  ;  and  who,  I  doubt  not,  "  is  always  bearing  about 
in  the  body  the  dying  of  the  Lord  Jesus."  Never  did  I  feel  stronger 
sympathy  for  you  than  when  we  were  about  to  part.  I  saw  what 
.  responsibility,  what  care,  what  numerous  calls  for  ministerial  labor 
you  had,  and  with  but  few  to  help  you.  The  Lord  send  you  aid.  O 
Lord,  send  aid  to  thy  cause.  But  for  you  and  me,  there  is  one  con- 
solation :  "  As  thy  day  is  so  shall  thy  strength  be." 

Doubtless  you  have  heard  before  this,  that  brother  Barnctt  and 
myself  liave  had  prosperous  seasons,  after  we  left  you,  in  witnessing 
the  conviction  and  conversion  of  sinners  and  in  seeing  my  favorite 
plan*  taking   so    cordially   among  the   dear  godly   females.      The 

*  Tae  Femali;  Miririonary  Society. 


246  CORRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED. 

affection,  the  gratitude,  the  tears  of  joy,  manifested  on  the  occasion 
of  our  visit  to  "  the  Forlis,"  made  strong  impressions  on  my  mind.  I 
have  no  doubt  but  it  was  all  of  the  Lord:  not  only  our  meeting 
there,  but  yours  at  Cain  creek.  If  our  motives  be  pure,  and  our 
hearts  constantly  dependent  on  God,  he  will  overrule  our  appoint- 
ments, for  his  own  glory  and  the  good  of  souls  :  he  will  not  permit 
us  to  give  a  wrong  touch  to  his  cause. 

When  I  arrived  at  home,  I  found  all  well,  except  Mrs.  Ewing, 
whose  health,  I  fear,  is  declining.  O  Lord,  if  it  please  thee,  give  to 
her  health  of  body  as  well  as  of  soul.  Our  camp  meeting  came  on 
yesterday  week.  The  Lord  was  present.  We  had  five  sectaries  to 
commune  together.  The  brethren  enjoined  it  on  me  to  fence  the 
table  and  give  the  invitation.  I  had  some  light.  Almost  every 
sermon  which  was  preached,  during  the  occasion,  seemed  to  be 
attended  with  divine  aid  and  blessing.  On  Saturday  evening,  two 
professed  religion,  and  on  the  Sabbath,  five.  On  Monday  brother 
Buie  preached  well ;  brother  Chapman  followed  him,  whose  sermon 
was  attended  with  much  power.  There  was  considerable  feeling. 
Mourners  were  yet  before  the  stand,  praying.  Some  of  the  brethren 
felt  impressed  that  I  ought  to  preacli  on  a  certain  subject.  Brother 
Wm.  Barnett  strongly  insisted  that  I  should  do  so  forthwith.  I  felt 
fearful,  but  consented.  The  fii'st  part  of  my  sermon  was  argmcnta- 
tive.  One  young  woman  professed  while  I  was  preaching ;  but  God 
would  so  have  it,  that  she  was  not  able  to  make  one  word  of  noise, 
till  pleaching  was  over.  0  I  do  believe  that  God  allowed  the  people 
to  hear.  Though  conscious  of  my  own  great  unworthiness  and  of  my 
utter  inability  to  profit  one  soul,  without  aid  from  above,  I  cannot 
doubt  but  much  good  resulted  :  more  immediate  good  perhaps  than 
ever  did  from  a  sermon  of  mine.  Within  a  few  minutes  the  south 
wind  came ;  and  four  or  five  were  liberated,  perhaps  within  one 
minute.  There  were  little  intervals  between  the  heavenly  breezes, 
until  near  daylight.  It  was  literally  a  gospel  sweeping  shower.  It 
was  almost  impossible  to  tell  how  many  professed  ;  but  it  is  believed 
about  twenty-three  found  the  Lord  precious  that  evening:  some 
think  more,  making  in  all,  thirty.  I  do  not  know  how  many ;  but  I 
never  saw  such  a  lime  at  Lebanon,  except  once,  shortly  after  the 
earthquake.  There  were  three  wagons  which  came  between  twenty 
and  thirty  miles,  and  brought  nine  unconverted  persons  in  them ; 
they  took    away  every  one  of  the  nine,  hopefully  converted,  and,  I 


CORRESPONDENCE  CONTINUED.        247 

trust,  all  true  Christians.  The  young  converts  were  generally  very 
clear  in  their  evidences,  and  spiritual  in  their  exercises.  Let  eternal 
and  undivided  honor  be  ascribed  to  God,  our  Saviour. 

Pray  for  me  and  mine.  Love  to  the  brethren.     Write  often.    And 
Relieve  me  to  be  yours, 

la  bonds  stronger  than  death, 

FINIS  EWING. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

TRUTH   TRIUMPHS. 

Tho  Arian  heresy  —  Successfully  opposed  —  Bopkinsville  —  Cisconrses  there — 
Contest  with  an  Arian  —  Missing  letter  —  Barnett  —  Blackburn  —  Doctrines  — 
Reproof — Meeting  at  Russelville  —  Valentine  Cook  —  Sermon  and  exhortation 
—  Crowd  of  mourners  —  Many  professions  —  The  conrerts  —  The  Hamiltons. 

The  people  usually  known  as  New  Lights,  but 
sometimes  called  Stoneites  or  Marstialites,  from  Stone 
and  Marshal,  who  were  their  most  prominent  preachers 
are  in  Mr.  Ewing^s  correspondence  generally  termed 
Arians.  Their  views  respecting  the  doctrines  of  the 
Trinity  and  the  divinity  of  Jesus  Christ,  appear  to 
have  been  extremely  absurd  and  unscrlptural.  They 
arose  in  upper  Kentucky,  only  a  few  years  after  the 
commencement  of  the  revival  of  1800,  flourished  for 
a  while,  but  finally  have  been  absorbed  by  other  sects. 
Certain  Presbyterian  writers  and  talkers  —  whether 
ignorantly  or  maliciously  it  is  not  easy  to  determine  — 
have  endeavored  to  confound  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terians with  these  people,  and  to  lead  the  world  to 
believe  that  the  former  have  fallen  into  delusions  similair 
to  those  of  the  latter.  Nothing  can  be  more  untrue  or 
unjust.  The  truth  is,  the  New  Lights  no  where  met 
with  sterner  opposition,  nor  experienced  a  greater  want 
of   success   in   making  proselytes   to   their  abominable 


TRUTH  TRIUMPHS..  249 

heresy,  than  in  the  bounds  of  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
operations.  The  pastors  of  churches  and  itinerants  on 
their  circuits  made  themselves  masters  of  the  subject 
in  controversy,  and  prepared  themselves  manfully  "to 
contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints." 
Presbyterians,  being  stationary,  had  not  the  same  kind 
of  advantages  for  combating  this  error  in  the  pulpit, 
but  by  their  pens,  and  from  the  press,  they  rendered 
signal  service  to  the  cause  of  truth.  By  all  other 
denominations  in  the  west  at  that  time,  this  heresy  was 
regarded  as  truly  ridiculous  as  dangerous.  When  men 
with  the  Bible  in  their  hands,  argued  that  Jesus  Christ 
possessed  only  a  super-angelic  nature  and  a  delegated 
power,  their  doctrine  seemed  to  destroy  the  foundation 
of  the  Christian's  hope,  deny  the  Lord  that  bought 
them,  and  assert  infidelity  in  disguise. 

For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Ewing  stood  as  a  strong 
tower  in  opposition  to  this  doctrine.  His  concern  for 
souls,  and  zeal  for  the  truth,  would  not  allow  him  to  be 
silent  while,  to  use  his  own  language,  "  damning  heresy 
stalked  abroad."  He  preached  by  invitation  in  many 
places  on  the  subject,  and  his  vigorous  intellect  and 
powerful  arguments  failed  not  of  abundant  success. 
Hopkinsville,  the  county  seat  of  Christian,  and  its 
vicinity,  were  regarded  for  a  number  of  years  as  the 
stronghold  of  this  sect,  having  there  a  respectable 
house  of  worship,  and  one  of  the  strongest  men  in 
the  whole  connection  for  their  preacher.  Different 
denominations  called  forth  to  their  aid  their  ablest 
ministers.      Mr.    Ewing,   among    others,    obeyed   the 


250  TRUTH   TRIUMPHS. 

call ;  and  Mr.  John  Finley  says  that  his  mind  -was 
so  absorbed  by  his  subject,  and  impressed  ^'ith  the 
importance  of  his  undertaking,  that  his  face  seemed 
to  shine  like  an  angel's ;  that  his  discourses  were 
indeed  the  most  lu<;id  and  irresistible  of  any  he  heard. 
This  was  probably  in  the  year  1816,  but  the  exact 
year  is  not  ascertained.  At  the  present  time  scarce 
an  individual  can  be  found  at  that  place  still  adhering 
to  this  sect. 

The  subject  of  the  Arian  heresy  is  frequently  alluded 
to  in  his  correspondence,  and  he  manifests  great  abhor- 
rence of  a  doctrine  so  dishonoring  to  God,  and  dangerous 
to  the  souls  of  men.  In  a  letter  to  Rev.  William  Harris, 
■dated  December  29,  1818,  is  found  the  following ; 

"  It  is  late  at  night,  and  I  have  time  to  answer  but  very  briefly  to 
your  inquiry  about  my  late  contest  with  '  the  great  Arian.'  I  must 
refer  you  to  brothers  Keuben  and  Chatham,  who  can  give  you  the 
information  you  desire.  I  will  just  say,  however,  that  in  answer  to 
the  prayers  of  God's  people,  and,  no  doubt,  your  own,  I  was  favored 
with  special,  precious,  and  sensible  aid  from  on  high.  Yes,  my 
brother,  most  assuredly  God  did  help  me  to  vindicate  his  own 
precious  truth.  In  this  I  cannot  be  mistaken.  Let  the  eternal 
honor  be  his  alone.  I  have  no  doubt  but  much  good  was  done.  I 
trust  and  believe  I  was  enabled,  through  assisting  grace,  to  raise  a 
barrier  that  will  keep  all  good  people,  and  all  who  are  well-disposed 
towards  religion,  from  being  carried  away  by  this  damning  heresy." 

In  the  winter  of  1818  and  '19,  occurred  the  great 
awakening  in  Russelville,  through  the  visible  instrumen- 
tality of  the  labors  of  Rev.  Finis  Ewing  and  Rev.  Wm. 
Barnett,  in  that  town.  Having  understood  that  Mr. 
Ewing  had  given  a  circumstantial  account  of  this  work 


TRUTH   TRIUMPHS.  251 

of  grace,  in  a  letter  to  Rev.  R.  Donnell,  we  were  more 
anxious  to  present  this  than  any  other  of  the  letters 
■which  have  come  into  our  hands,  to  our  readers.  Our 
disappointment  is  great,  however,  in  finding  this  letter 
missing.  In  the  letters  we  have,  the  fact  is  barely 
alluded  to.  Fi-om  Rev.  David  Lowry,  of  Lebanan,  Mrs. 
Sally  Hamilton,  of  Nashville,  and  others,  certain  facts 
have  been  obtained  which  will  in  some  degree,  supply  the 
deficiency.  The  preceding  and  accompanying  circum- 
stances as  well  as  the  work  itself  are  truly  interesting. 
Rev.  Wm.  Barnett,  as  all  who  ever  heard  him  will 
testify,  was  a  son  of  thunder,  a  Boanerges,  in  his 
exhibitions  of  divine  truth.  He  turned  his  attention  to 
the  gospel  ministry,  early  in  life,  but  being  unable  to 
obtain  a  classical  education,  he  supplied  the  want  of  it 
by  diUgence  and  study,  and  became  a  very  popular  and 
powerful  preacher.  Being  in  Nashville  on  a  certain  occa- 
sion, he  was  invited  by  Rev.  Dr.  Blackburn  to  preach. 
He  delivered  a  discourse,  with  his  usual  power  and  pun- 
gency. Perhaps  he  was  rather  too  plain  and  pointed  on 
the  universality  of  the  atonement,  the  freedom  of  man's 
will,  the  fullness  of  the  great  salvation  and  the  offers  of 
mercy  to  all  who  were  in  their  sins,  to  please  his  brother 
minister.  It  must  be  remembered  that  the  old  Presby- 
terians had  not  yet  adopted  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
manner  of  presenting  these  precious  doctrines  in  their 
sermons,  nor  had  revivals  yet  begun  to  be  known  among 
them  in  this  country.  Mr.  Barnett  was  a  tolerably 
good  specimen  of  the  promoters  of  the  revival  of  1800  ; 
and  his  were  the  very  doctrines  which  had  so  displeased 


252  TKUTH   TRIUMPHS. 

the  Old  Side  brethren,  and  for  which  his  fathers  in  the 
ministry  had  suffered  their  censures.  He  doubtless 
knew  all  this ;  but  could  preach  nothing  but  what  he 
believed  to  be  the  truth. 

Dr.  Blackburn  seemed  dissatisfied ;  and  in  his  exhor- 
tation after  the  sermon,  took  occasion  gravely  to  inform 
his  hearers  that "  noise  and  nonsense  never  could  convert 
any  body  ;  for  if  they  could,  thunder  would  have  con- 
verted all  long  ago."  This  was  understood  as  a  reproof 
or  slur  upon  Mr.  Barnett's  preaching.  He  felt  it 
deeply,  and  was  much  embarrassed  and  mortified. 
Being  very  young,  this  uncalled  for  rebuke  so  greatly 
discouraged  him,  that  it  was  with  great  difficulty  he 
could  be  prevailed  on  to  preach  or  exhort,  for  some  time 
afterwards.* 

On  their  way  to  Russelville  to  hold  the  meeting  before 
mentioned,  Mr.  Ewing  told  his  brother  Barnett  that  he 
would  expect  him,  as  was  usual  in  those  days,  to  follow 
the  sermon  with  exhortation.  The  latter  would  not 
Consent,  but,  after  much  argument  and  persuasion, 
utterly  refused.  Upon  this  Mr.  Ewing,  with  much 
warmth,  replied,  "  then  I   believe  the  Lord  will  curse 

*  Some  years  after  this,  Mr.  Barnett  having  gained  experience, 
met  Dr.  Blackburn,  who,  in  his  sermon  talked  about  the  ruin,  misery^ 
&c.,  which  awaited  the  finally  impenitent.  In  the  course  of  his 
exhortation,  Barnett  took  occasion  to  wai'n  the  impenitent  thus  : 
"  If  you  do  not  repent,  you  will  go  to  that  place  which  was  hintcdnt 
just  now.  But  I  must  tell  you  what  it  is.  It  is  hell!  It  is  a  hdvc 
that  burns  with  fire  and  brimstone  !  It  is  to  endure  the  wratli  of  a 
holy  God !  It  is  to  feel  forever  the  gnawings  of  that  worm  which 
never  dies  !  Escape  for  your  lives.  Come  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
who  alone  can  help  you." 


TRUTH  TRIUMPHS,  253 

you  for  neglect  of  duty.  For  I  have  been  for  some 
time  impressed,  and  even  now  verily  believe,  that  he  is 
about  to  commence  a  great  and  good  work  of  grace 
among  the  people  of  that  wicked  place." 

And  indeed  Russelville  was  a  wicked  place.  For  some 
time  after  its  settlement,  it  was  in  a  great  measure 
destitute  of  the  preaching  of  the  word.  Afterwards, 
Rev.  Valentine  Cook  and  some  others  had  labored  there, 
weeping  and  praying  over  its  desolation.  The  people 
seemed  devoted  to  the  world,  its  pursuits  and  amuse- 
ments ;  and  some  pious  hearts  feared  they  were 
incorrigibly  joined  to  their  idols.  When  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  congregation  at  Moriah,  a  few 
miles  from  Russelville,  were  making  their  arrange- 
ments for  holding  a  camp  meeting,  Mr.  Cook  said  to  Mr. 
Harris,  "  you  can  never  do  any  good  there  :  it  is  too 
near  the  devil's  camp  ground" — meaning  Russelville. 

The  meeting  commenced  in  a  large  ball-room  belong- 
ing to  Capt.  James  Hunter.  There  was  no  church  in 
the  place ;  and  when  meetings  were  held  there,  they 
must  necessarily  be  held  in  private  houses  or  the  court- 
house. Mr.  Ewing  took  a  position  to  be  heard  by  the 
assembly.  Mr.  Barnett  adhering  to  his  resolution,  was 
not  with  him  but  at  a  distance  in  the  congregation.  The 
former  delivered  one  of  his  most  powerful,  heart-searching 
sermons,  under  which  the  people  became  greatly  excited, 
some  of  them  exceedingly  alarmed.  The  latter  forget- 
ting Blackburn's  reproof,  and  being  filled  with  concern 
for  the  awful  condition  of  perishing  sinners,  was  by 
Ewin<y's  side  when  the  sermon  ended.    He  exhorted  a,nd 


254  TRUTH   TRIUMPHS. 

called  upon  those  who  desired  an  interest  in  Christ  to 
distinguish  themselves  as  seekers  of  religion.  "  The 
people,"  says  Mrs.  Hamilton,  "  came,  rushing  in  crowds 
to  the  altar  of  prayer,  myself  among  the  others.  I  felt 
myself  a  lost  and  ruined  sinner.  I  doubt  not  the 
others  felt  the  same.  The  meeting  was  protracted ; 
and  a  powerful  revival  commenced.  Many  found  the 
Lord  precious  to  their  souls.  It  was  an  entire  new 
chapter  in  the  history  of  Russelville  ;  and  from  that  time 
religion  was  prosperous  and  flourishing.  Other  denom- 
inations entered  into  the  work.  All  seemed  united  in 
brotherly  love  for  a  time.  There  were  very  many 
professions.  How  many  it  is  impossible  to  tell.  Long 
afcer,  when  the  question  was  asked,  who  professed  in 
this  revival?  The  general  answer  was,  almost  every 
body." 

Of  the  converts,  several  afterwards  became  eminent 
ministers  of  the  gospel ;  while  others  were  distinguished 
for  their  usefulness  in  the  various  departments  of  active 
life.  The  work  was  great,  and  the  changes  it  made 
were  truly  wonderful.  It  has  often  been  said  that  it 
left  but  few  unblessed,  who  came  within  its  influence. 
The  Cumberland  Presbyterians  soon  organized  Bible, 
tract,  and  missionary  societies  in  the  place.  The  female 
members  particularly  became  much  interested  in  the 
cause  of  missions.  Mrs.  Hamilton  herself,  on  one 
occasion,  became  so  much  interested  for  the  poor 
heathen,  that  she  took  ofl"  all  her  jewelry,  consisting  of 
breastpins,  bracelets,  ear-rings,  and  finger-rings,  and 
gave  them  to  Rev.  Mr.  Goodell,  missionary  to  Palestine. 


TRUTH  TRIUMPHS.  265 

Mr.  Bamett  has  been  heard  to  say  that  he  had  never 
been  delivered  from  the  embarrassing  and  discouraging 
effects  of  Blackburn's  reproof,  until  this  meeting.  And 
Mr.  Ewing  has  been  heard  to  say  that,  on  his  way  to 
Russelville,  he  was  so  fully  impressed  with  the  idea  that 
the  Lord  was  about  to  visit  the  place  in  mercy,  his  mind 
scarcely  admitted  a  doubt. 

Mrs.  Hamilton  still  lives  with  an  only  daughter  at 
Nashville,  is  a  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church,  and  eminent  for  her  piety.  She  remembers 
with  tender  interest,  her  spiritual  father  and  other  early 
advocates  of  a  free  salvation.  She  loves  to  talk  of 
revivals,  camp  meetings,  missionary  operations,  the 
comforts  of  religion,  the  Christian  warfare  and  her 
prospects  of  a  bright  inheritance  beyond  this  vale  of 
tears.  In  the  conclusion  of  this  chapter,  a  space  may 
be  filled  with  a  brief  notice  of  her  excellent  husband, 
long  deceased. 

Joseph  Davis  Hamilton,  Esq.,  was  a  graduate  of 
Transylvania  University,  for  some  years  associated  with 
Dr.  Joshua  L.  Wilson  in  a  classical  school,  at  Bards- 
tow;n,  afterwards  principal  of  the  Russelville  Academy, 
and  still  later  cashier  of  the  old  State  bank.  He 
professed  religion  at  Cane  ridge,  at  the  age  of  seven- 
teen ;  but  was  not  satisfied  that  he  ought  to  join  the 
church,  until  after  he  obtained  a  brighter  manifestation 
of  the  pardon  of  his  sins,  during  the  progress  of  the 
revival  above  noticed.  He  and  his  wife  then  united  with 
the  church.  As  a  scholar,  a  gentleman,  and  a  Christian, 
he  stood  deservedly  high  in  the  estimation  of  all  who 


256  TRUTH    TKIUAIPHS. 

knew  him.  As  an  elder  in  the  church,  he  was  frequently 
a  member  of  her  diiferent  judicatures  ;  and  his  efficient 
services  and  wise  counsels  were  highly  appreciated. 
He  lived  beloved  by  his  brethren,  esteemed  by  his 
neighbors,  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens ;  and  died 
lamented  by  all. 


%  CHAPTER  XX. 

CORRESPONDENCE    PREVIOUS    TO  REMOVAL. 

Lebanon  congregation  —  Wise  Providence  —  Contemplates  a  removal  —  Letter  to 
E.  Donnell  —  Doubtful  state  of  mind  —  Missouri  —  Good  work  in  Russelville  — 
Letter  to  R.  Donnell  —  Blissionary  spirit  —  Labors  —  Prayer  a  medicine  — 
Address  to  the  people  of  Missouri — Letter  to  R.  Donnell — Camp  meeting  — 
Presbytery  —  Pilot  Knob  —  Resignation  of  the  oflace  of  Post  master. 

The  spirit  of  emigration  to  the  new  territories  has 
already  been  noticed.  From  Mr.  Ewing's  immediate 
neighborhood,  removals  were  more  numerous  and  fre- 
quent than  from  most  others  ;  and  about  this  time  it 
seemed  highly  probable  that  the  Lebanon  congregation, 
once  so  large  and  flourishing,  would  become  almost,  if 
not  entirely,  extinct.  The  emigrants,  principally  from 
Virginia,  had  been  accustomed  to  the  cultivation  of 
tobacco,  and  were  induced  to  purchase  farms  there,  on 
account  of  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  and  its  adaptation  to 
the  growth  of  that  plant.  In  the  general  they  were  not 
very  favorable  to  religion,  more  especially  the  doctrines 
and  practices  of  the  Pedo-baptlst  denominations. 

Here  we  may  pause  to  admire  the  wisdom  and  good- 
ness of  an  all-wise  and  merciful  providence.  The  great 
Head  of  the  church  saw  an  extensive  field  of  usefulness 
opening  in  Missouri,  already  whitening  for  the  harvest 
and  greatly  needing  the  labors  of  the  husbandmen  ;  and 
by  his  grace  and  goodness  so  arranged  circumstances 
22 


258   CORRESPONDENCE  PREVIOUS  TO  REMOVAL. 

and  overruled  events  as  to  induce  Mr.  Ewing  and  his 
congregation  to  enter  in  and  become  his  harvesters. 
This  was  not  the  first  time  that  the  church  was  extended, 
her  borders  enlarged,  the  gospel  more  widely  diflfused, 
and  greater  numbers  saved  by  the  dispersionP  of  the 
disciples.  But  boundless  love  did  not  stop  here.  The 
emigrants  from  Virginia  must  also  be  provided  with  the 
means  of  grace  and  salvation.  Hence  certain  pious 
and  excellent  ministers,  against  whose  doctrines  and 
mode  of  administering  one  of  the  ordinances  no  peculiar 
prejudice  existed,  were  sent  among  them,  as  chosen 
vessels  of  the  Lord,  also  to  win  them  from  their  idols 
and  teach  them  the  way  of  life.  And  to  the  honor 
of  him  who  delighteth  not  in  the  death  of  the  wicked, 
it  may  be  stated  as  an  encouraging  and  soul-cheering 
fact  that,  while  many  of  these  new  emigrants  became 
hopefully  converted,  the  pastor  and  the  people  of  the 
Lebanon  congregation  were  enabled  to  erect  the  standard 
of  the  cross  in  almost  all  parts  of  Missouri ;  and  many 
flourishing  congregations,  seven  Presbyteries,  one  whole 
Synod  and  part  of  another,  are  monuments  of  the  wise 
providence  of  Jehovah. 

Mr.  Ewing,  though  his  labors  were  sought  for  by 
several  congregations,  and  his  ministering  brethren  in 
that  part  of  the  country  were  much  opposed  to  his 
leaving  them,  thought  he  saw  in  these  things,  the 
indications  of  God's  providence  ;  and  began  to  think 
seriously  of  a  removal.  But  to  what  place,  he  could 
not  at  first  determine.  Accustomed  as  he  was  to  take 
counsel  of  him  who  giveth  wisdom,  his  petitions  were 


COKRESPOXDETNCE  PREVIOrS  TO  REMOVAL.        259 

frequent  and  fervent  that  the  divine  will  might  be  made 
known  to  him.  The  two  following  letters  make  some 
illusion  to  this  interesting  inqiairy : 

To  Rev.  Robert  Dpnnell. 

EwiNGsrvirLE,  March  23,  1819. 

Mt  Deah  Bkothkr  :  —  My  apology  for  not  sooner  answering 
your  two  interesting  letters  is  the  state  of  my  mind,  which  is  by  no 
means  tranquil.  It  appears  that  the  Lord  intends  that  there  sliall 
not  continue  to  be  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  congregation  in 
3Jebanon!  Already  about  one  half  liave  removed;  and  nineteen 
more  of  the  members  have  determined  to  remove  in  a  few  months. 
Nearly  all  the  balance  will  follow  as  soon  as  they  can  sell  their 
property.  And  \-ct  I  am  not  conscious  that  it  is  in  his  wrath,  tliat 
God  is  permitting  this  congregation  to  break  up.  It  may  be  best  for 
■the  general  cause.  But  I  assure  you,  my  mind  has  been,  and  is  in 
great  trouble  and  confusion  on  the  subject.  Should  I  live,  it  appears 
that  a  removal  is  inevital)]e  ;  but  I  do  not  know  where.  If  I  know 
my  heart,  I  desire  to  go  where  I  can  be  the  most  useful.  At  present 
Missouri  appeal's  the  nio.-t  promising.  But  the  thought  of  going  so 
far  from  my  beloved  friends  in  the  ministry,  &c.,  is  exceedingly  pain- 
ful. I  think  tobacco  makers  and  Baptists  will  take  this  part  of  the 
■country.  Though  I  would  not  speak  disparagingly,  I  have  no 
particular  partiality  for  either,  beyond  others.  I  have  occasionally 
-turned  my  mind  to  Cane  Creek;  but  my  children  and  most  of  my 
■congregation  are  tending  to  the  west.  You  cannot  imagine  the 
confusion  and  conflicts  of  my  mind  on  this  subject.  I  have  tried  to 
cry  to  God  to  be  enabled  to  stay  my  mind  on  him,  and  do  present 
duty.  My  inclination  would  be,  and  is,  to  stay  my  whole  life-time 
where  I  am ;  but  religious  society  is  under  God  my  life  in  this  world. 
If  God  permit,  I  must  have  it,  while  I  tabernacle  here  below. 

The  good  work  is  still  going  on  in  Russelville ;  but  tho  cry  of 
water  has  done  much  mischief  there.  We  have  appointed  a  commu- 
nion there,  on  the  third  Sabbath  in  next  mon^h.  I  would  be  much 
pleased  to  meet  you  there  .at  that  time.  I  rejoice  at  what  you  tell 
me  of  brothers  King  and  Moore.  Surely  the  Lord  is  about  to  do 
marvelous  works  in  all  the  earth.  ****** 

Accept  assurances  of  brotherly  aflTection,  FINIS  EWING. 


V 


260   CORRESPONDENCE  PREVIOUS  TO  REMOVAL^. 

To  Rev.  Robeii  Donndl. 

EwiNGSviLLE,  May  17,  1819. 
My  Dear  Brother  :*****  It  rejaices  me  to  hear 
that  the  blessed  missionary  spirit  has  taken  so  strong  hold  of  the 
hearts  of  ministers  and  the  people,  both  male  and  female,  in  your 
country.  The  liberality  of  females  in  this  country  has  enabled 
us  to  send  a  precious  Missionary  to  the  upper  settlements  in  the 
Boone's  Lick  country,  Missouri ;  and  a  considerable  surplus  will  be 
left  in  their  treasury. 

We  licensed  no  preachers  at  our  last  Presbytery.  We  have  many 
candidates  ;  several  of  whom  will  probably  be  licensed  at  our  next. 
The  calls  for  ministerial  labor  from  the  west  are  really  affecting  to  a 
godly  heart.     0  Lord,  send  more  laborers. 

****** 

It  still  seems  as  if  God  determines  that  there  shall  not  continue  to 
be  a  Cumberland  Presbyterian  congregation  in  this  immediate  neigh- 
borhood. I  see  a  removal  inevitable  ;  but  wliere,  I  am  not  certain. 
My  mind  still  preponderates  towards  the  west. 

May  25th. 
After  an  interval  of  eight  days,  I  proceed  with  my  letter.  Since  I 
commenced,  Mrs.  Ewing  has  been  very  sick,  having  been  delivered 
of  a  fine  son  on  the  16th.  Shortly  after,  she  took  cold  :  and  we  had 
some  apprehensions  for  her  life.  That  medicine  which  has  never 
heretofore  failed  me,  was  resorted  to  again ;  and  under  God,  I  think, 
has  been  useful,  for  she  is  now  recovering  and  seems  quite  cheerful. 
As  the  medicine  may  be  useful  in  your  part  of  the  country  likewise, 
I  will  name  it :  it  is  frequent  and  fervent  prayer.  Doubtless  yon 
yourself  are  well  acquainted  with  it,  and  have  often  proved  its  efficacy. 
.It  is  worthy  of  being  recommended  to  all  others. 

I  am  pleased  to  hear  that  brother  King  is  coming  to  visit  us,  and 
pray  that  the  Lord  may  come  with  him.  Present  my  thanks  to 
brother  Erwin  for  the  interesting  and  affectionate  letter  with  which 
he  honored  me,  not  long  since.  When  I  get  a  little  leisure,  I  intend 
to  answer  it.  In  the  meantime  I  would  observe,  that  as  yet  Provi- 
dence does  not  seem  to  my  apprehension  to  point  my  way  to  the 
south.  Although  on  account  of  the  society  of  ministers  and  people, 
there  are  strong  inducements  and  numerous  attachments  to  lead 
me  in  that  direction  ;  yet  in  trying  to  kno>v  the  mind  of  the  Lord, 


CORRESPONDENCE  PREVIOUS  TO  REMOVAL.       261 

we  ought  always  to  be  jealous  of  ourselves  and  our  inclinations. 
One  thing  gives  me  comfort :  let  me  move  where  I  may,  I  expect 
ere  long  to  enjoy  the  uninterrupted  society  of  my  dear  fellow  laborers 
in  the  gospel  and  all  my  dear  Cliristian  acquaintances,  in  a  world  of 
light  and  love.  Tiiis  is  indeed  a  blessed  prospect.  I  have  been  called 
on  to  go  this  evening  and  marry  Miss  Lucretia  Benham  to  a  very 
decent  ond  pious  young  man,  Mr.  Hervey  Young. 

Yours  as  ever,  FINIS  EWING. 


A  female  missionary  society,  which  had  been  organ- 
ized under  the  auspices  of  Mr.  Ewing,  resolved  to  send 
a  Missionary  to  Missiouri,  to  itinerate  through  the  desti- 
tute places  of  that  territory,  preaching  and  administering 
the  ordinances. 

Their  choice  fell  upon  an  excellent  young  man,  then 
comparatively  unknown,  but  who  has  since  distinguished 
himself  by  his  efficient  and  useful  labors.  He  was  no 
other  than  Rev.  Robert  D.  Morrow,  D.  D.,  President 
of  Chapel  Hill  College,  Mo. 

In  order  to  increase  the  fund  for  his  support,  facilitate 
his  labors  and  usefulness,  Mr.  Ewing  issued  the  following 
address : 

To  the  People  of  the  Missouri  Territory. 
Dear  Friends  and  Brethren  : —  The  Missionary  Board  for 
Western  Missions  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  having 
been  for  some  time  deeply  impressed  with  your  comparative  destitute 
situation,  as  it  respects  the  word  and  ordinances  of  God's  house, 
have  appointed  our  beloved  and  faithful  friend  and  brother.  Rev. 
Robert  D.  Morrow,  to  ride  and  spend  several  months  among  you  as  a 
missionary,  to  preach  the  gospel  of  peace,  and  administer  the  holy 
ordinances  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper.  We  trust  you  will  give 
him  all  the  countenance  and  attention  that  his  situation  requires.     If 


262  CORRESPONDENCE  PREVIOUS  TO  REMOVAL. 

oar  funds  were  not  so  limited,  we  would  gladly  send  you  more  than 
one  missionary,  and  for  a  longer  period  than  several  months.  But 
as  every  cent  which  is  collected  for  our  missionary  fund,  is  con- 
scientiously applied,  and  will  be  applied  to  and  for  the  purpose  of 
sending  missionaries  to  the  frontiers  and  the  destitute,  we  trust  you 
will  at  once  see  the  necessity  of  making  such  contributions  to  our 
missionary  as  your  circumstances  will  consistently  admit,  more 
especially  as  the  first  missionary  ever  employed  by  this  Board  has 
been  and  is  sent  to  you.  It  would  have  been  more  pleasant  to  us 
not  to  have  hinted  this  part  of  the  subject,  did  not  the  situation  of 
our  funds,  and  a  desire  to  be  more  extensively  useful,  require  it. 

Dear  friends  and  brethren,  with  exertions,  prayers,  and  anxieties, 
the  Board,  under  God,  has  succeeded  in  sending  you  a  faithful,  tried 
missionary  of  the  glorious  gospel.  0  !  receive  the  word  at  his  mouth  ; 
receive  him  as  a  messenger  from  God !  do  not  suffer  the  present 
privilege  to  pass  by  unimproved.  Think  of  the  thousands  that  are 
perishing  for  the  lack  of  knowledge  —  think  of  the  goodness  of  God 
in  sending  his  word  to  you  —  view  it  as  coming  from  his  kind  provi- 
dence and  unmerited  grace  —  let  his  goodness  subdue  you  —  let  his 
love  beget  love  in  you  — take  encouragement  from  the  present  dispen- 
sation of  his  grace  to  wrestle  hard  with  him  for  a  glorious  effusion 
of  his  Holy  Spirit  —  look  for  salvation  for  yourselves  and  for  your 
households,  and  for  your  neighbors.  Many  prayers  follow  your 
missionary  to  his  place  of  destination  —  let  many  more  prayers  hold 
op  his  hands  after  he  arrives  among  you.  0  !  are  not  the  souls  of  the 
people  of  Missouri  as  precious  as  they  are  elsewhere  ?  Is  not  God 
willing  to  save  and  comfort  them  1 

May  God  our  Saviour,  bless  you  and  yours,  with  the  exceeding 
riches  of  his  abundant  grace.     Amen. 

By  order  of  the  Board, 

May  2d,  1819.  FINIS  EWING,  Clerk. 

The  following  letter  will  exhibit  the  condition  of 
the  Logan  Presbytery  at  the  time,  and  would  be 
worthy  of  insertion  on  that  account,  if  no  other.  It 
will  remind  some  of  their  early  history,  and  teach 
others  not  to  despise  the  day  of  small  things: 


CORRESPONDENCE    PREVIOUS    TO    REMOVAL.        263 

To  Rev.  Robert  Donnell. 

E-vviNGSViLLE,  Nov.  29,  1819. 

Mt  Dear  Brother  Robert  :  —  *  *  *  *  At  a  camp  meeting 
in  Logan  county  God  has  displayed  his  glorious  power  in  the  liopeful 
conversion  of  twenty-two  souls,  among  whom  was  a  son  of  brother 
Harris.  We  had  also  an  exceedingly  interesting  session  of  Presbytery. 
We  licensed  five  new  preachers,  and  received  four  new  candidates. 
Of  all  we  have  good  expectations.  Our  Stated  Clerk  was  received  as 
a  candidate.  He  is  modest  and  diffident,  but  a  learned  and  worthy 
man ;  but  I  am  not  convinced  that  he  will  be  a  more  useful  preacher 
than  some  who  are  less  polished.  It  may  be  satisfactory  to  you  to 
know  the  names  of  the  young  men  under  the  cai-e  of  this  Presbytery. 
I  give  them  as  follows  :  the  licentiates  are  Lewis,  McCorkle,  McChord, 
Porter,  Lowry,  Shelby,  Hamilton,  Henry,  Johnson,  Berry,  Long  and 
McDowell.  The  candidates  are  Buie,  Hunter,  Downey,  Campbell, 
Masson,  McDaniel  and  Barnett-  The  whole  make  twenty,  exclusive 
of  the  ordained  ministers.  Is  not  God  good  ?  Yet  I  feel  to  cry  to 
him  to  send  more  laborers.  But  I  feel  to  add  to  my  prayer  on  that 
subject  what  I  have  not  been  in  the  habit  of  doing  heretofore ;  that 
is,  to  entreat  the  Lord  when  he  calls,  to  give  the  Presbytery  wisdom 
to  discern ;  for  I  do  assure  you  I  was  much  perplexed  with  regard 
to  the  cases  of  one  or  two  who  off'ered  themselves  at  our  late  session 
but  whom  we  did  not  receive.  The  Presbytery  have  passed  an 
order  for  the  ordination  of  Messrs.  Porter,  Lowry,  and  Shelby.  The 
order  is  on  condition  that  they  stand  their  examinations  on  the 
branches  required  by  discipline,  &c.  They  will  spend  the  whole 
winter  in  study  and  preparation ;  and  there  is  no  reason  to  apprehend 
that  they  will  fail  of  being  prepared. 

Brother  Morrow,  the  missionary,  brings  good  tidings  from  the 
west.    By  order  of  the  Board  I  have  just  finished  a  circular  letter  to 
the  female  societies  in  this  country.         ***** 
Yours  in  the  gospel,  FINIS  EWING. 

Mr.  Ewing,  in  another  letter  to  Rev.  R.  Donnell, 
expresses  himself  thus  :  "  I  am  quite  unwell,  but  must 
keep  you  in  remembrance  that  I  feel  to  live  and  die  with 
you.     You  seem  to  be  in  a  strait,  and  look  this  way  and 


264    CORRESPONDENCK  PREVIOUS  TO  REMOVAL. 

that  way  for  human  help.  I  sympathize  with  you,  but 
cannot  help  you  much,  except  by  my  ardent  desires  and 
feeble  prayers.  There  is  more  work  to  do  in  this  country 
than  we  are  all  able  to  perform.  Our  borders  are  so 
enlarged  that  many  of  the  interior  parts  are  in  a  great 
measure  destitute.  A  missionary  spirit  virtually  cries, 
push  out !  Go  forward  !  Seek  out  the  destitute  !  Carry 
the  glad  tidings  to  every  creature  !  Pi'each  the  word  ;  be 
instant  in  season  and  out  of  season  !  Lord,  send  more  able 
and  faithful  ministers  of  the  New  Testament.  I  cannot 
be  with  you  at  Nashville  at  either  of  the  times  you 
request.  I  wish  I  could.  My  whole  time  is  occupied 
in  this  region  of  country."  *         *         *         * 

"  We  have  had  and  will  have  more  camp  meetings 
this  season  than  any  one  before  since  we  were  a  Pres- 
bytery. Except  in  one  instance,  God  has  remarkably 
owned  and  blessed  them.  Including  the  last  Sabbath, 
we  held  one  at  Pilot  Knob.  Fencing  and  serving  the 
first  table,  I  spoke  more  than  three  hours.  Prejudices 
seemed  to  be  slain.  God  worked  abundantly.  Fifteen 
professed  religion ;  and  many  were  pricked  to  the 
heart." 

The  following  is  the  last  letter  in  our  possession, 
written  by  Mr.  Ewing,  previous  to  his  removal : 

To  Rev.  Robert  Donnell. 

EwiNGSviLLE,  Febuary  4th,  1820. 
My  Beloved  Brother  Donnell  :  *  *  *  I  am  pleased  with 
your  very  just  and  profitable  reflections  on  the  depression  of  our 
monied  interests.  "Treasure  in  Heaven,"  rightly  viewed  and  duly 
estimated,  will  always  keep  us  from  being  too  much  depressed  under 
temporal  loss  and  too  much  elated  with  temporal  prosperity. 


CORRESPONDENCE    PREVIOUS  TO  REMOVAL.    265 

I  design  this  eveninj^  to  send  on  my  resignation,  as  postmaster,  to 
take  eifcct  tiie  last  of  Marcli^  at  which  time  there  will  be  no  more 
Ewingsville,  in  this  country.  I  am  led  to  this  course  on  account  of 
my  anticipated  removal  in  the  spring.  Yes,  the  die  is  cast.  If  God 
will,  I  expect  assuredly  to  start  with  my  family  to  Missouri.  I  trust 
I  will  not  in  this  act  resist  or  counteract  the  will  of  my  divine  Mas- 
ter. Therefore,  pray  for  me  and  mine.  If  God  spares  us,  I  hope  we 
may  meet  at  some  Synods.  In  the  meantime,  write  to  me  here 
before  I  leave :  and  then  direct  your  letters  to  Booneville,  Cooper 
county,  Missouri  Territory.  For  although  I  may  not  be  postmaster 
ru  that  county,  I  will  always  gladly  pay  postage  on  j'our  letters.  I 
feel  that  the  greater  distance  will  not  decrease,  but  rather  increase 
my  attachment. 

Give  my  love  to  sister  Donnell.  Tell  her,  if  I  never  see  her  again 
in  this  life,  I  want  to  recognize  her  in  that  pure  world  where  there  is 
no  sickness  nor  sorrow. 

Your  unworthy  but  immutable  friend  and  brother, 

FINIS  EWING. 
2iO 


CHAPTER  XXL 
REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI. 

Bonds  uniting  a  pastor  to  his  people  —  Why  sundered  —  TJniTersal  regret  — 
Farewell  discourses — At  Russelville — At  Salubrious  Spring  —  Mrs.  Young's 
description  —  Settles  in  Cooper  county  —  New  Lebanon  —  Letter  to  R.  Donnell 
—  Report  of  Synod  —  Growth  in  ten  years  —  Dsceitfulness  of  the  heart — God 
alone  can  keep  it  —  Lectures  on  divinity — Appointed  postmaster  —  Temper- 
ance address  —  A  published  sermon  —  The  colonization  enterprise  —  Servants 
emancipated  —  Benevolent  societies  —  Reply  to  a  Unitarian  —  Removal  to- 
Lafayette  —  Elder  David  Kirkpatrick  —  Baptist  controversy. 

Of  the  ties  which  bind  one  human  heart  to  another, 
scarce  any  can  be  freer  from  the  alloy  of  selfishness  than 
the  bonds  of  Christian  union.  If  any  thing  can  add 
strength  and  purity  to  these  bonds,  it  is  that  relation  of 
a  pastor  to  his  people,  -which  has  been  entered  into  and 
preserved  according  to  the  true  principles  and  motives 
of  the  gospel.  The  Apostle,  speaking  of  himself  and 
his  fellow  ministers,  tells  the  Thessalonians,  "  we  were 
gentle  among  you,  even  as  a  nurse  cherisheth  her 
children :  so  being  affectionately  desirous  of  you,  we 
were  willing  to  have  imparted  unto  you,  not  the  gospel 
of  God  only,  but  also  our  own  souls,  because  ye  were 
dear  unto  us."  *  And  he  thus  bears  testimony  to  the 
affection  of  the  Galatians  for  him.  "  Ye  received  me 
as  an  angel  of  God,  even  as  .Jesus  Christ.  I  bear  you 
record,  that  if  it  bad  been  possible,  ye  would  have 

•  1  Thess.  ii,  7-8. 


REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI.  267 

plucked  out  your  own  eyes,  and  have  given  them  to 
me."  *  But  if  he  who  bears  such  testimony  found  it 
necessary  to  sunder  ties  so  sweet,  that  the  word  of 
God  might  have  free  course  and  be  glorified,  so  also  did 
Mr.  Ewing,  from  a  similar  motive. 

It  is  true  that  nearly  all  his  congregation,  to  whom 
he  had  long  devoted  half  of  his  time,  had  gone  or  were 
preparing  to  go  to  the  west.  But  there  were  a  number 
of  other  congregations  in'  the  vicinity  who  had  usually 
shared  the  other  half  of  his  time,  except  during  the 
camp  meeting  season,  when  to  the  latter  his  labors  were 
specially  devoted.  The  calls  for  labor  and  scarcity  of 
ministers  at  the  time,  rendered  these  arrangements  in 
some  degree  necessary ;  and  he  was  a  very  laborious 
minister.  Hence  the  last  named  congregations  were  as 
reluctant  to  part  with  him,  as  if  he  had  actually  been 
their  pastor.  And  though  the  number  of  ministers  was 
rapidly  increasing,  and  there  could  be  no  fear  of  actual 
destitution,  yet  none  could  supply  his  place  in  the 
aflfections  of  the  people  and  the  church  generally.  For 
though  they  might  have  ten  thousand  instructors  in 
Christ  they  had  not  many  fathers ;  and  no  other  could 
so  emphatically  say,  "  in  Christ  Jesus,  I  have  begot- 
ten you  through  the  gospel."  f  Hence  in  anticipation 
of  his  removal  to  Missouri,  there  were  universal  sorrow 
and  regret  throughout  the  bounds  of  the  church.  The 
only  consolation  was  that,  by  this  measure,  the  gospel 
might  be  more  widely  difi"used,  and  perhaps  many  more 
souls  saved. 

•  Gal.  iv,  14-15.  t  1  Cor.  It.  16 


268  REMOVj\L  and  RESrnENCE  IN  MISSOTTRT. 

Previous  to  his  departure,  Mr.  Ewing  visited  many  of 
the  congregations  in  Christian  and  the  adjoining  counties, 
preaching  to  each  a  farewell  sermon.  The  people 
attended  in  immense  numbers.  Even  those  whose 
prejudices  had  not  allowed  them  much  to  attend  on  his 
ministrations  before,  were  now  present ;  they  seemed 
for  the  first  time  to  have  discovered  the  value  of  his 
piety,  intellect,  and  eloquence  ;  and  joined  in  the 
universal  expressions  of  regret  at  his  mtended  removal. 
At  Russelville,  where  he  had  frequently  preached  for 
several  years,  and  where  the  wonderful  revival  already 
noticed,  had  brought  so  many  into  the  fold  of  Christ, 
there  had  been  some  controversy  stirred  up,  on  the 
subject  of  baptism.  Here  the  text  of  his  farewell 
discourse  was,  "  see  that  ye  fall  not  out  by  the  way."  * 
He  may  be  said  to  have  lefc  the  people  of  that  town  in 
tears.  At  Salubrious  Spring,  a  large  congregation, 
about  nine  or  ten  miles  from  his  residence,  where  he 
had  labored  more  perhaps  than  at  any  other  place 
except  at  Lebanon,  he  preached  from :  "  for  I  have  not 
shunned  to  declare  unto  you  all  the  counsel  of  God."  f 
Mrs.  Lucretia  Young  (the  Miss  Lucretia  Benham  of 
whose  marriage  to  Mr.  Harvey  Young,  he  speaks  in  one 
of  his  letters  to  Mr.  Donnell,)  a  lady  remarkable  for 
her  piety,  intelligence,  and  warm-heartedness,  now 
deceased,  used  to  give  a  very  glowing  description  of 
this  sermon  and  the  parting  scene  ;  and  the  mention  of 
the  subject  always  called  forth  her  copious  tears.  Suffice 
it  to  say  that,  from  her  description,  the  parting  in  this 

*  Gen .  xlv,  24.  t  Acts  xx,  27. 


REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI.  269 

case  must  have  very  strongly  resembled  that  -which 
followed  the  charge  of  the  Apostle  to  the  elders  of 
Ephesus,  in  which  the  text  is  contained. 

"  And  as  they  accompanied  Paul  unto  the  ship,"  so 
friends  and  brothers  accompanied  Mr.  Ewing  and  his 
family  a  few  miles  on  their  way,  when  they  started  for 
Missouri,  in  May,  1820.  It  is  not  known  that  any 
thing  of  special  interest  occurred  on  the  journey.  He 
settled  in  Cooper  county  ;  and  immediately  commenced 
the  work  of  his  Master  :  for  he  could  more  cheerfully 
dispense  with  the  comforts  of  life  than  the  labors  of  the 
ministry.  It  was  not  long  before  he  built  up  a  very 
large  congregation,  called  New  Lebanon.  Here  he  was 
chiefly  instrumental  in  the  erection  of  a  large,  commo- 
dious house  of  worship,  and  a  camp  ground  adjoining. 
To  this  congregation  he  devoted  from  half  to  three- 
fourths  of  his  time  —  for  it  is  to  be  remembered  that 
he  could  not  neglect  the  camp  meetings  nor  refuse  to 
obey  calls  from  other  congregations  on  very  special 
occasions  —  for  about  twelves  years,  or  until  his  removal 
to  Lafayette  county. 

-  The  following  appears  to  be  the  second  or  third  letter 
from  his  Missouri  home  to  the  person  to  whom  it  is 
addressed  ;  those  which  precede  this  have  not  come 
into  our  hands : 

To  Rev.  Robert  Donnell. 
Green  Gt.ove,  Cooper  county,  Mo.,  Nov.  19,  1820. 
My  Dear  Brother  Donnell:     *    *    *    *     J  have  received 
the  prhited  report  of  our  hist  Synod  penned,  I  presume,  by  your 
hand.     At  anv  rate  I  recoirnize  somethin^r  of  vour  usual  terseness 


270  REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI. 

of  composition,  as  well  as  your  pertinent  and  very  appropriate  strokes. 
I  read  it  to-day  to  the  meeting  at  New  Lebanon.  It  animated  us 
much.  I  am  ready  to  exclaim  in  the  language  of  the  Report :  "  0 
what  hath  God  wrought !  It  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is  marvelous 
in  our  eves."  Who  would  have  anticipated,  but  a  few  years  since, 
that  our  little,  untaught,  scoffed  at  and  despised  body  would,  in  the 
course  of  ten  years  have  grown  into  such  consistency,  respectabilitj', 
and  usefulness  1  Who  would  have  thought  that  its  congregations 
of  respectable  standing  would  by  this  time  be  scattered  through  or 
in  six  States  and  one  or  two  Territories,  whose  preachers  claim  their 
full  share  of  attention  from  the  learned  as  well  as  the  unlearned, 
from  the  noble  as  well  as  the  ignoble  ?  It  is  truly  animating  to  learn 
that  many  of  Zion's  sons  are  taking  her  by  the  hand.  I  trust  out 
of  so  many,  that  this  needy  and  extensive  country,  so  desirous  of 
their  labors,  will  get  supplied.  They  whom  God  calls  to  the  work 
will  do  some  good.  But  let  us  not  be  afraid  of  too  many,  or  indif- 
ferent about  more  ;  for,  be  assured,  there  is  room  for  many,  very 
many  more  preachers. 

I  received  intelligence  by  private  letter  that  yourself  and  several 
of  the  brethren  preached  very  acceptably  at  Synod.  This  gratifies 
me,  and  causes  me  to  feel  thankful.  But,  my  dear  brother,  while  I 
rejoice  for  all  these  things,  I  also  am  ready  to  tremble.  The  human 
heart  is  deceitful ;  and  even  when  it  is  sound  in  theory,  it  is  often 
corrupt  in  its  practice  and  motives.  In  a  state  of  prosperity,  none 
but  God  can  keep  the  heart  humble.  I  have  often  told  you,  the  day 
we  constituted  our  first  Presbytery,  and  became  a  separate  body,  I 
dreaded  nothing  but  pride  and  self-exaltation.  I  saw  clearly  that 
if  we,  as  a  body,  would  continue  to  be  humble  and  dependent  on 
divine  aid,  that  neither  earth  nor  hell  could  harm  us  or  prevent  our 
progress.  I  still  see  it  so.  O  Lord  God,  let  us  all,  particularly  the 
ministry,  feel,  even  deeply  feel,  the  spirit  of  the  conclusion  of  the 
Report :  "  Not  unto  us,"  &c. 

I  think  the  Lord  was  with  me  to-day,  having  tried  to  preach  on 
Isaiah  li,  and  first  part  of  5th  verse.  All  were  solemn  ;  and,  I  trust, 
many  of  God's  people  profited.  ''Lovest  thou  me?  Feed  my 
sheep."  This  was  my  object.  We  hope  for  good  times  in  these 
ends  of  the  earth.  We  would  be  much  encouraged,  if  we  had  more 
faithful  preachers.  Can  you  not,  brother,  send  some  able  and  faithful 
ones  over  to  help  us  1 


REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURL  271 

****** 
Let  me  renew  my  request,  that  you  forthwith  undertake  the  selec- 
tion of  a  hymn  book,  suited  to  our  faith,  in  which  let  there  be  several 
hymns  on  the  subject  and  mode  of  baptism.  I  could  dispose  of  maiiy 
■of  them  here.  I  have  not  yet  had  an  opportunity  to  write ;  but  still 
have  it  in  view.  Before  I  commence,  I  would  wish  to  see  our  needy 
■country  better  supplied  with  preachers,  and  a  post-office  established 
so  that  I  could  conduct  correspondence  with  my  brethren,  without 
•expense.  ***** 

Accept  assurances  of  my  unabated  love  and  esteem, 

FINIS  EWING. 

£t  was  while  living  at  New  Lebanon,  that  Mr.  Emng 
prepared  a  course  of  Lectures  on  Divinity,  principally  for 
the  benefit  of  a  class  of  young  men,  preparing  for  the 
ministry,  and  residing  with  him.  He  gratuitously 
instructed  and  supported  class  after  class  of  candidates, 
while  thus  engaged.  Of  these  lectures  nothing  need  he 
eaid.  They  have  been  widely  circulated  and  duly  appre- 
ciated. They  are  in  the  hands  of  almost  every  member 
■of  the  church,  as  well  as  others.  It  redounds,  however, 
much  to  the  credit  of  their  author,  that  with  a  large 
family  and  farm,  preaching  every  Sabbath,  often  during 
the  week,  and  ever  ready  to  obey  the  numerous  calls 
which  are  usually  made  upon  a  pastor's  time  by  a  large 
congregation,  he  should  find  time  to  write  out  such  a 
-course  of  lectures  for  the  instruction  of  those  who  were 
preparing  to  serve  the  church,  after  he  had  gone  to  his 
reward. 

Mr.  Ewing  soon  obtained  a  post^oflSce  at  his  place  of 
residence,  named  "  Ewingsville  ; "  and  he  received  the 
.appointment  of  postmaster. 

He  was  one  whom  no  good  work  could  escape.  Every 


272  REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI. 

enterprise,  tending  to  glorify  God  and  bless  mankind, 
elicited  his  warmest  interest.  He  was  the  father  of  the 
temperance  reformation  in  central  an.d  western  Missouri. 
Even  before  there  had  been  much  said  or  written  on  the 
subject  in  the  far  west,  he  delivered  an  address  to  the 
clmrch,  and  formed  the  first  society  in  the  church  in 
that  State.  Throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life,  he 
seemed  to  take  the  liveliest  interest  in  this  cause, 
delivered  a  great  many  addresses  on  the  subject,  and 
never  failed  to  make  deep  and  lasting  impressions  on  the 
minds  of  his  audience.  His  style  of  speaking  on  this 
subject,  as  well  as  all  others,  was  plain  and  practical, 
but  very  rigorous  and  compact.  Those  who  are 
acquainted  with  the  logical  character  of  his  mind  and 
his  systematic  method  of  treating  every  subject  he 
touched  —  that  he  could  not  speak  without  ideas  and 
arguments  the  most  ingeniously  arranged  to  fasten  con- 
viction on  those  who  heard  him  —  will  conclude  these 
addresses  were  truly  worth  hearing.  They  are  said  by 
some  to  have  been  among  the  best  intellectual  efforts  of 
his  life,  and  are  believed  to  have  accomplished  much  for 
the  cause  of  temperance. 

At  what  time  Mr.  Ewing's  mind  began  to  be  exer- 
cised on  the  subject  of  holding  property  in  slaves,  of 
their  education,  treatment,  &c.,  it  is  not  exactly  known. 
While  at  New  Lebanon,  it  is  believed,  he  first  preached 
his  much  admired  sermon  on  "  The  duty  of  the 
Church,"  which  a  few  years  after  was  published  in 
"  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Pulpit,"  and  still 
later,  re-published  in  "  The  Cumberland  Presbyte- 


REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI.         273 

KIAN."  lu  speaking  of  the  evils  -which  ought  to  be  put 
away  from  the  church,  his  views  are  expressed  on  this 
subject  as  in  the  note  below.*  Most  heartily  did  he 
approve  the  colonization  enterprise  ;  though  there  was  • 
no  society  organized  in  that  State  prior  to  his  death. 
As  a  master,  he  is  known  to  have  been  kind  and  indul- 
gent. He  felt  and  manifested  great  concern  for  the 
moral  elevation  and  spiritual  welfare  of  his  servants. 

*  But,  where  shall  we  begin  ?  0  !  is  it  indeed  true  that  in  this 
enlightened  age,  there  are  so  many  palpable  evils  in  the  church  that 
it  is  difficult  to  know  where  to  commence  enumerating  them  ?  The 
first  evil  which  I  will  mention  is  a  traffic  in  human  flesh  and  human 
souk!  It  is  true,  that  many  professors  of  religion,  and  I  fear  some 
of  my  Cumberland  brethren,  do  not  scruple  to  sell  for  life  their 
fellow  beings,  some  of  whom  ai-e  their  brethren  in  the  Lord.  And 
what  is  worse,  they  are  not  scrupulous  to  whom  they  sell,  provided 
they  can  obtain  a  better  price !  Sometimes  husbands  and  wives, 
parents  and  children  are  thus  separated,  and  I  doubt  not  tlieir  cries 
reach  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  Sabaoth. 

(Lest  some  of  my  readers  should  say,  "  physician  heal  thyself,"  I 
tliink  it  proper  to  state  in  this  place,  that  after  a  long,  painful,  and 
jirayerful  investigation  of  this  subject,  I  have  detennined  %iot  to  hold, 
nor  to  give,  nor  to  sell,  nor  to  buy  any  slave  for  life.^  Mainly  from 
the  influence  of  that  passage  of  God's  word  which  says,  "  Masters 
give  unto  your  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal") 

Others  who  constitute  a  part  of  the  visible  church  halffcei],  half- 
clothe,  and  oppress  their  servants.  Indeed,  they  seem  by  their  con- 
duct towards  them,  not  to  consider  them,  fellow-beings.  And  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  many  of  them  are  taking  no  pains  at  all  to  give  their 
servants  religious  instruction  of  any  kind,  and  especially  are  they 
making  no  efforts  to  teach  them  or  cause  them  to  be  taught  to  read 
that  book  which  testifies  of  Jesus.  Whilst  others  permit,  perhaps 
require  their  servants  to  work,  cook.  &c.,  while  the  ivhite  people  are 
praying  around  the  family  altar. 

*  Tliis  resolution  was  formed  many  years  ago. 


274         REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI. 

For  many  years  before  his  death,  he  determined  to 
liberate  all  his  slaves ;  and  from  that  time  forth  he 
made  exertions  to  qualify  them  for  freedom.  Some  of 
the  younger  servants  were  instructed  to  read ;  and 
provision  was  made  for  the  comfort  and  support  of  the 
older  ones.     At  his  death  all  were  emancipated. 

He  was  active  and  ardent  in  sustaining  all  the  great 
benevolent  institutions  of  the  day.  For  many  years  he 
was  a  vice  president  of  the  American  Tract  Society,  and 
was  the  first  man  in  western  Missouri  who  actively  con- 
tributed to  introduce  tracts  and  form  auxiliaries  in  that 
part  of  the  State.  The  first  agent  who  ever  came  to 
the  country,  was  entertained  at  his  house,  and  received 
his  cordial  co-operation,  not  only  in  personal  exertion 
but  substantial  aid.  He  was  also  an  officer  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  assisted  in  the  formation  of 
many  local  societies,  and  often  spoke  and  preached  on 
the  subject.  And  while  in  the  land  office,  he  kept  a 
box  of  Bibles  in  his  office  for  sale  and  distribution. 

During  the  period  of  his  residence  at  New  Lebanon, 
a  distinguished  Arian,  or  as  these  people  were  now 
called,  Unitarian  minister  announced  through  the  papers 
of  the  State,  that  on  a  certain  day,  he  would  preach  his 
faith ;  and  that  the  ministers  of  otlier  denominations 
were  invited  to  attend  and  reply,  either  then  or  after- 
wards. Mr.  Ewing,  with  a  great  many  other  ministers, 
attended  and  listended  to  a  long  and  powerful  vindica- 
tion of  the  preacher's  favorite  theories.  He  took 
copious  notes  of  this  sermon  ;  and  on  its  conclusion, 
at  the  instance  of  the  other  ministers  then  present,  he 


REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI.  275 

announced  his  determination  to  reply  on  a  given  day, 
the  Lord  permitting,  and  invited  the  opposing  champion 
to  attend.  On  the  appointed  day  an  immense  concourse 
of  people  were  present.  His  adversary,  however,  did 
not  appear.  He  had  made  it  convenient,  just  before 
the  day  arrived,  to  take  a  trip  to  Kentucky.  Perhaps 
he  had  learned  what  sort  of  a  man  he  would  have  to 
meet.  So  it  was,  he  did  not  attend.  However,  he 
employed  a  distinguished  politician  and  lawyer  who 
resided  in  the  town  to  take  notes  of  Mr.  Ewing's  sermon. 
This  gentleman  took  his  seat  in  a  convenient  place  ;  and 
for  some  time  during  the  delivery  of  the  discourse,  he 
took  a  quantity  of  notes.  But  after  a  while  he  threw 
down  his  paper,  and  seemed  wholly  absorbed  in  the 
powerful  and  luminous  exposure  of  the  fallacies  of  his 
favorite  dogmas.  Mr.  Ewing  finished ;  and  the  pubhc 
regarded  this  as  a  masterly  effort :  "  probably,"  says  a 
correspondent,  "  it  was  the  ablest  pulpit  effort  of  his 
whole  life."  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  this  sermon  was 
never  published ;  and  consequently  this,  like  many 
others  of  rare  value,  is  lost  to  the  church.  His  adver- 
sary never  attempted  a  reply  ;  and  not  long  afterwards 
he  abandoned  his  old  doctrines  and  embraced  a  new 
system  scarcely  more  safe  or  orthodox. 

In  1832,  Mr.  Ewing  removed  from  New  Lebanon,  to 
Lafayette  county,  and  took  charge  of  the  brick  church 
congregation,  not  many  miles  from  Lexington.  The 
reasons  for  this  removal  are  not  known  to  the  writer, 
further  than  that  it  was  supposed  he  could  thereby 
better  advance  the  interests  of  the  church.     Some  days 


4* 


276  REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI. 

after  he  had  announced  his  intended  removal,  his  senior 
elder,  who  was  accustomed  to  sit  before  the  pulpit,  give 
out,  and  lead  in  singing  the  hymn,  came  to  his  house  to 
remonstrate  in  the  name  of  the  congregation  against  his 
contemplated  removal.  The  venerable  elder  spake  wiih 
touching  earnestness  on  the  subject,  and  at  length  with 
tears  in  his  eyes  prayed  him  not  to  leave  them.  This 
elder's  name  is  David  Kirkpatrick,  a  man  eminent  for 
his  piety,  zeal,  and  distinguished  usefulness.  With  such 
a  co-laborer  as  he  is  said  to  have  been,  a  faithful  minister 
could  ^arcely  fail  of  usefulness.  "  He  is  one  of  the  very 
few  men  I  have  ever  known,"  writes  a  distinguished 
lawyer  of  that  State,  "  who,  I  verily  thought,  could  not 
be  induced  to  do  a  wrong  act."  This  elder's  son,  one 
of  the  most  talented  and  promising  young  ministers  in 
the  church,  and  one  of  Mr.  Ewing's  pupils,  died  in  the 
commencement  of  a  very  brilliant  career.  A  Presby- 
terian minister  and  a  relative  has  spoken  of  writint^  his 
biography. 

About  this  time  the  Pedo-baptist  denominations  in 
Missouri  were  greatly  annoyed  and  provoked  by  the 
attacks  on  their  faith  and  practice,  of  a  distinguished 
Baptist  clergyman,  who  had  lately  immigrated  to  the 
State.  It  was  deemed  necessary  by  the  ministers  of 
the  church  generally  that  these  attacks  should  be 
repelled,  and  the  assailant  replied  to.  Mr.  Ewino-  was 
called  on  for  this  purpose.  He  has  never  been  known 
to  seek  controversy,  never  to  evade  it  when  forced  upon 
him,  and  never  to  decline  it  when  the  interests  of  the 
church  demanded  the   exertion   of   his   argumentative 


REMOVAL  AND  RESIDENCE  IN  MISSOURI,  277 

powers.  He  therefore  undertook  the  defence  of  the 
Pedo-baptists'  faith  against  the  assaults  of  this  new 
adversary,  both  in  public  discourses  and  published 
pamphlets.  The  enemy's  batteries  were  silenced  ;  and 
not  long  afterwards,  the  leader  retired  from  the  field,  to 
renew,  it  is  said,  the  contest  in  other  more  promising 
quarters. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

MEANS    OF    USEFULNESS. 

Pastor  of  the  church  at  Lexington  —  Appointment  to  the  Land  Office —  Reasons 
for  acceptance  —  Three  visits  to  Kentucky  —  Meeting  with  old  friends  —  Cum- 
berland College  established  — Speech  in  favor  of  a  delegated  Synod  —  Speaking 
and  writing  —  Letter  to  the  author  —  Fraternal  rebuke  —  Appeal  for  the 
endowment  of  Cumberland  College  —  Writing  for  the  church  —  The  Banner  of 
Peace  —  Last  sermon  —  Death  —  His  children  —  Rev.  Dr.  Morrow's  reply  to  the 
author. 

In  1836,  Mr.  Ewing  took  up  his  residence  in  the 
town  of  Lexington.  This  may  be  regarded  in  some 
respects  as  a  new  pastoral  field.  There  was  no  church 
edifice  and  but  a  few  members.  It  was  not  long, 
however,  before  a  commodious  frame  church  was  erected 
and  a  considerable  congregation  organized ;  which  he 
served  until  a  short  time  before  his  death :  it  was  at 
that  time  large  and  flourishing,  *  He  was  decidedly  of 
the  opinion  that  every  congregation  ought  to  have  its 
own  pastor,  when  practicable,  but  when  not  so,  ho 
thought  two  or  more  ought  to  unite  for  this  purpose. 
As  a  pastor  he  was  indefatigable  in  the  discharge  of  all 
the  duties  of  his  office,  resolute  in  the  administration  of 

*  For  a  time  after  Mr.  Swing's  death,  the  pastoral  office  was  vacant, 
then  for  Bome  years  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Dr.  Calhoun,  formerly  a 
Presbyterian  minister  who  had  joined  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians, 
but  is  now  under  the  care  of  Rev.  C.  A.  Davis.  An  elegant  brick 
edifice  has  been  lately  erected,  in  the  new  town. 


MEANS    OF   USEFULNESS.  279 

discipline,  but   mild   and   conciliatory  in  dealing  with 
offending  or  dissatisfied  members. 

The  principal  reason  for  his  removal  to  Lexington  was 
the  Land  Office,  at  that  place.  He  had  long  been  the 
personal  and  political  friend  of  General  Jackson.  They 
had  been  in  habits  of  correspondence  ;  and  shortly  after 
the  election  of  Jackson  to  the  Presidency,  Mr.  Ewing 
received  from  him  the  appointment  of  Register  of  the 
Land  Office.  Politicians  at  the  time  were  not  backward 
to  say  that  a  minister  ought  to  devote  himself  to  the 
church  and  not  hold  office.  They  did  not  know  perhaps 
that  he  never  received  any  compensation  for  his  long 
and  laborious  services  in  the  ministry  ;  that  he  worked 
for  nothing,  and  supported  himself.  This  he  uniformly 
did,  not  because  he  believed  in  such  a  principle,  but 
because  at  first  the  church  was  young  and  poor,  and  he 
was  able  to  support  himself.  And  he  continued  the 
practice,  because  others  needed  the  aid  which  the 
church  could  afford  miore  than  he.  After  devoting  the 
best  years  of  his  life  to  uncompensated  labors  for  the 
church,  with  a  large  family  to  provide  for,  and  continual 
demands  on  his  purse  for  the  various  benevolent  and 
church  enterprises — to  all  of  which  he  was  a  liberal 
contributor — he  accepted  a  lucrative  office.  But  it 
was  an  office  the  duties  of  which  could  be  in  a  good 
degree  discharged  by  an  assistant,  requiring  but  little 
of  his  personal  attention.  It  did  not  at  all  interfere 
with  his  higher  duties  as  a  minister.  And  he  accepted 
it,  as  he  often  told  his  family  and  friends,  in  order  to 
enable  him  to  afford  more  aid  to  the  great  benevolent 


280  MEA^rS    OF   USEFULNESS. 

enterprises  and  charities  of  the  church.  He  still 
continued  active  and  useful  in  the  ministry.  During 
the  eleven  years  in  which  he  held  this  office,  he  was 
distinguished  for  his  uprightness  and  integrity,  and 
rendered  entire  satisfaction  to  the  Government  and 
generally  to  those  with  whom  he  transacted  the  business. 
He  resigned  in  1841. 

Mr.  Ewing,  after  his  removal  to  Missouri,  visited  the 
scenes  of  his  early  life  and  labors  no  less  than  three 
times.  On  all  these  occasions,  it  was  the  privilege  of 
the  writer  to  enjoy  more  or  less  of  his  company  and 
conversation.  His  first  visit  was  to  the  Synod  at 
Russelville  in  1821  or  '22.  His  second  was  to  the 
Synod  at  Princeton,  in  1825.  His  third  was  to  the 
General  Assembly  at  Princeton,  in  May  1829.  On  all 
these  occasions,  there  was  manifested  by  all  classes  of 
people,  not  only  those  who  had  known  him  personally, 
but  those  who  had  read  his  writings  or  had  only  heard 
of  him  by  report,  a  truly  remarkable  but  very  natural 
anxiety  to  see  and  hear  him  preach.  He  never  appeared 
to  notice,  perhaps  really  did  not  observe,  the  interest 
and  curiosity  awakened  by  his  presence  in  the  minds  of 
the  multitude ;  but  when  he  met  with  old  friends,  then 
there  were  cordial  greetings,  grasping  of  hands,  tearful 
eyes,  love's  tender  accents  upon  tremulous  tongues,  and 
sometimes  brotherly  embraces.  It  was  evident  that  he 
had  won  many  —  it  might  be  almost  said  all  —  true 
hearts ;  while  his  own  was  warm  enough  to  cherish,  and 
capacious  enough  to  embrace,  all  in  its  best  affections, 
its  tenderest  sympathies.     Well  might  those  veterans 


MEANS    OF    USEFULNESS.  281 

of  the  cross  meet  and  mingle  their  tears  together. 
Men  said  that  in  their  church  relations  here,  they  had 
lived,  and  loved,  and  labored,  and  sacrificed,  and 
suffered  together.  But  the  time  would  soon  come 
•when  they  should  triumphantly  enter  the  general  assem- 
bly and  church  of  the  first  born ;  and  a  more  melodious 
voice  should  announce,  "  these  are  they  which  came 
out  of  great  tribulation  and  have  washed  their  robes, 
and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb." 

Two  questions  of  absorbing  interest  came  up  for  the 
consideration  of  the  Synod  at  Princeton  in  1825.  The 
first  was  a  proposition  for  the  establishment  of  a  College. 
Three  distinguished  gentlemen  of  the  bar  had  come,  one 
from  Russelville  and  two  from  Elkton,  to  advocate  the 
important  measure  ;  and  they  all  made  very  appropriate 
and  eloquent  speeches  on  the  occasion.  It  is  true,  the 
members  of  Synod  generally  were  in  favor,  and  none 
opposed  the  contemplated  institution ;  but  the  importance 
of  the  enterprise  and  its  bearings  upon  the  church 
excited  at  the  time  great  interest  and  animation.  Mr. 
Ewing,  while  he  warned  against  pride,  self-confidence 
and  trusting  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  actually  made  the  most 
lucid  and  powerful  argument  in  favor  of  ministerial  edu- 
cation, to  which  the  writer  has  ever  hstened.  The  plan 
proposed  was  adopted  ;  and  the  result  was  the  founding 
of  Cumberland  College,  at  Princeton,  Ky.  He  was 
always  one  of  the  warmest  friends  and  most  liberal 
patrons  of  this  institution  ;  and  in  a  letter  to  Rev.  Wm. 
Harris,  now  in  our  possession,  he  writes  thus :  "  I  wrote 
some  time  since  to  the  trustees,  that  I  wished  the  profits, 
24 


282  MEANS    OF    USEFULNESS. 

arisinf'  from  my  Lectures,  to  be  applied  to  Cumberland 
College.  I  hope,  Brother  William,  you  will  promote 
that  application." 

The  second  great  question  discussed  at  this  Synod 
was,  whether  —  since  the  Church  had  enlarged  her 
borders  and  increased  her  strength,  to  an  extent  that 
would  no  longer  admit  of  her  representatives  assembling 
in  one  body,  and  a  division  into  several  was  now  in- 
dispensable —  the  common  uniting  bond  of  the  highest 
judicature  should  be  a  General  Assembly  or  delegated 
Synod  ?  Several  of  the  ablest  ministers  advocated  the 
plan  of  a  General  Assembly.  Mr.  Ewing  took  the  side 
of  a  delegated  Synod.  He  dreaded  the  imitation  of 
other  churches,  lest  the  time  might  come  when  this 
Church  would  imitate  others  in  things  not  profitable  and 
praise-worthy.  He  had  various  other  reasons  which 
seemed  mainly  to  grow  out  of  his  great  aversion  to 
pride  and  vain  glory,  and  his  heart-felt  solicitude  to 
preserve  the  minds  of  ministers  and  people  in  a  state  of 
d,eep  humility,  always  sensible  of  their  dependence  on 
divine  aid,  for  any  degree  of  usefulness. 

For  depth  of  information  and  accurate  knowledge  of 
the  various  forms  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical  governments, 
for  cogency  of  argument  and  power  of  eloquence,  his 
speech  on  this  subject  was  not  and  scarcely  could  be 
excelled.  But  the  writer  will  not  hazard  an  analysis  or 
description  of  it,  lest  he  should  do  it  injustice.  Had  a 
stenographer  been  present  to  write  down  every  word 
and  sentence,  something  would  have  been  gained ;  but 
even  he  would  have  failed  to   preserve  the  tones,  the 


MEANS    OF    USEFULNESS.  283 

gestures,  and  the  workings  of  that  ever  varying  but 
expressive  countenance ;  all  which  told  almost  as  hap- 
pily and  effectively  as  the  language  itself.  Had  Mr. 
Ewing  himself,  at  its  close,  seated  himself  at  his  desk, 
and  written  out  that  speech,  he  would  probably  have 
made  it  even  less  excellent  and  admirable  than  the 
stenographer  would  have  done  ;  he  would  have  made  it 
respectable  indeed;  but  it  would  have  been  like  his 
Lectures  and  oth«r  writings,  falling  far  below  the  logical 
power  and  brilliant  success  of  Father  E wing's  extem- 
poraneous efforts.  We  mean  not  to  disparage  his  Lectures 
or  any  of  his  writings.  We  value  them  as  a  legacy  to  the 
church.  But  we  mean  simply  to  say,  that,  though  they 
would  discredit  no  man,  they  are  but  meagre  represen- 
tations of  his  own  logical  power  and  fervid  eloquence  in 
speaking.  This  is  easily  accounted  for.  Like  some  of 
the  most  distinguished  for  bar  eloquence,  who  scarcely 
write  at  all,  he  had  trained  his  mind  to  speak  ex  tempore; 
and  in  the  slow  and  toilsome  process  of  committing  his 
thoughts  to  paper,  they  lost  very  much  of  their  power, 
pathos  and  lucid  arrangement.  Men  who  have  trained 
and  accustomed  themselves  to  dive  at  once  to  the  very 
bottom  of  their  subject,  comprehending  at  a  glance  its 
strong  points  and  weak  places,  the  arguments  to  be 
employed  and  the  objections  to  be  anticipated,  are  often 
surpassed  in  writing  by  those  who  are  not  more  profound 
thinkers,  but  whose  mental  operations  are  slower  and 
consequently  more  patient  in  polishing.  The  character- 
istic of  the  one  is  strength,  that  of  the  other  accuracy. 
The  writer  held  occasional  correspondence  with  Mr. 


284  MEANS    OF   USEFULNESS. 

Ewing,  almost  from  their  first  acquaintance,  in  1821.  A 
few  extracts  will  be  given  from  letters  received  in  1840. 
At  that  time,  Cumberland  College,  in  the  presidency  of 
which  the  author  had  then  served  for  about  fifteen  years, 
becoming  embarrassed  in  its  finances,  he  wrote ^  published 
and  circulated  through  the  church  a  pamphlet,  appeal^ 
ing  for  a  permanent  endowment.  Certain  remarks, 
respecting  the  fathers  and  founders  of  the  church,  were 
understood  by  Mr.  Ewing  to  imply  that  they,  himself 
included,  had  not  been  sufiieiently  liberal  in  sustaining 
the  institution.  Nothing  of  this  kind  was  intended,  for  his 
liberality  was  well  known ;  and  this  very  fact  rendered 
his  construction  of  the  remarks  the  more  wounding  to 
his  feelings.  Did  he  withdraw  his  aid  and  patronage 
from  a  College  whose  President  he  supposed,  could  do 
him  so  great  injustice  ?  This  is  what  many  men  would 
have  done.  But  Mr.  Ewing,  after  a  fraternal  rebuke, 
immediately  commenced  a  plan  for  relieving  the  College 
and  raising  a  permanent  endowing  fund.  This  will 
appear  in  the  following  letter: 

To  Uev.  F.  R.  Cossiit,.  D.  D. 

Lexington,  Mo.,  March  2,  1 840'. 

Dear  Brother:  —  Yoar  letter  and  pamphlet  came  to  hand  last 

night.     On  reading  them,  I  was  afflicted  in  my  soul.    Sleep  departed 

from  me,  and  I  was  utterly  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  do.    In  the  first 

place,  I  will  not  disguise  the  fact,  I  felt  rather  displeased  at  some  of 

your  implied  censure  of  myself,  where  you  have  spoken  so  much  of 

\  the  "Fathers  and  founders   of   our   chm-ch,"  &c.     I  will   not  with 

~  affected  modesty  deny  the  application  of  both  to  myself     It  always 

humbles  me  to  be  called  a  father  of  the  churcli,  when  I  consider  the 

poor  progress  I  have  made  in  knowledge  and  holiness.     Whatever, 

througli  grace,  I  have  been  enabled  to  ac-compli.sh  in  behalf  of  our 


MEAXS  OF  Ui^EFULXESS.  285 

beloved  branch  of  God's  Zion,  is  known.  Therefore  I  take  jonr 
remarks  as  an  indirect  but  unjust  censure  on  myself.  If  I  may  be 
allowed  to  speak  in  my  own  justification,  I  will  say,  if  all  the  fathers 
and  founders  and  juniors  in  the  ministry  alone  had  donohalfas  much 
in  money  and  influence,  as  I  have  done,  the  College  would  not  be 
in  jeopardy.  My  good  brother,  please  to  examine  the  records,  ascer- 
tain the  amount  of  all  I  have  donated  to  the  College  at  different 
times,  and  of  what  I  have  collected  from  others,  and  then  if  you 
should  continue  your  appeals  for  Cumberland  College,  as  I  hope  you 
will,  you  will  not  come  down  upon  mc  —  I  am  sure  you  will  not,  when 
you  know  the  whole  truth  —  with  so  great  severity.  Now,  brother, 
I  have  emptied  my  budget,  and  am  prepared  for  other  matters. 

You  inquire,  '•  if  I  would  not  be  willing  to  write  something  on  the 
subject  of  the  College,  and  publish  in  the  paper  1 "  What  paper  ? 
You  do  not  mean,  I  presume,  that  little  matter  gotten  up  at  Spring- 
field. I  can  write  notiiing  for  that,  nor  think  of  it  without  unpleasant 
feelings.  Aud  brother  Donnell  writes  that  the  Convention's  paper 
will  not  be  issued  till  after  the  General  Assembly.  Tliis  grieves 
me.  I  am  old  and  in  some  respects  infirm.  I  therefore^  feci  reluctant 
to  write  for  the  public  press  ;  but  I  do  wish  to  say  some  things  about 
the  College,  especially  if  I  could  have  weight  with  the  brethren.  I 
have  ever  been  the  fast  friend  of  that  institution.  I  have  never 
faltered.  And  I  think  with  you,  it  would  be  an  everlasting  disgrace 
and  a  crying  sin  to  let  it  pass  into  other  hands  for  the  want  of 
liberality  and  patronage  on  the  part  of  our  church.  Since  I  received 
yours,  I  have  thought  of  writing  a  circular  to  the  brethren,  publishing 
and  sending  it  through  our  entire  bounds.  But  we  have  no  press 
within  less  than  forty  miles.  Therefore  if  I  do  write  such  a  letter,  I 
will  send  the  manuscript  to  you.  You  can  have  it  printed  at  the 
press  in  Princeton  at  my  expense,  and  send  it  where  and  to  whom  you 
please.  If  it  be  done  at  all,  it  ought  to  be  circulated  before  the 
General  Assembly.  Possibly  I  may  write  something  to  accompany 
this.    My  eyes  are  sore  ;  I  have  great  bodily  pain ;  and  must  here 

break  off  and  go  to  rest. 

March  3d. 

Sure  enough,  I  picked  up  courage,  and  have  this  day  written  a 
sort  of  circular  *  to  the  brethren.  I  send  it  to  you  to  examine,  cor- 
rect, alter,  &c.,  or  to  suppress  altogether,  just  as  your  better  judgment 

*  This  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix,  marked  E. 


286  MEANS  OF  USEFULNESS. 

may  dictate.  I  write  in  too  much  bodily  pain  to  attempt  to  tran- 
scribe or  correct.  I  cannot  think  of  doing  it  But  my  zeal  for  the 
cause  has  prompted  me  to  attempt  what  I  hope  may  do  some  good, 
and  to  make  offers  of  aid  in  increasing  the  fund  which  otlier  demands 
on  my  purse  scarcely  justify.  But  I  cannot  bear  tlie  thought  of  that 
institution  passing  into  other  hands.  *  *  * 

I  entreat  you  to  take  every  liberty  in  correcting  my  piece  — 
retaining  the  sense  and  sentiments  —  as  if  you  had  originally 
written  it  yourself.  Have  it  printed  in  convenient  form  to  circulate 
as  extensively  as  possible,  throughout  the  church.  And  what  you 
do,  do  quickly,  as  it  is  important  that  it  should  be  read  and  con- 
eidered  before  the  General  Assembly. 

****** 
Notwithstanding    the  rebuke  I  have   given  you  in  this   letter,  I 
remain  your  sincere  friend  and  brother, 

In  the  best  of  bonds,  FINIS  EWING. 

To  Rev.  F.  R.  Cossitt,  D.  D. 

Lexington,  Sept.  2d,  1840. 

My  Dear  Brother:  —  Your  very  kind  and  deeply  interesting 
letter  of  the  13th  ult.  was  received  a  few  days  since.  Did  you  know 
me  as  I  know  myself,  you  would  not  feel  that  hesitancy  or  delicacy 
which  you  evince  in  communicating  with  me  on  every  subject  con- 
nected with  the  interests  of  our  beloved  Zion.  When  I  think  you  do 
me  injustice,  I  have  the  fortitude  to  tell  you  so.  I  allow  you  the 
same  privilege.  Therefore  you  should,  and  I  hope  you  always  will, 
feel  at  libertj-  to  say  just  what  is  in  your  heart,  to  speak,  without 
reserve.  ******* 

With  regard  to  your  inquiry  about  my  retaining  my  oflSce,  I  will 
say  it  has  been  my  desire  and  determination  for  some  time  to  resign  ; 
notwithstanding  it  will  cut  off  my  means  of  doing  as  much  to 
promote  the  interests  of  the  church,  in  a  pecuniary  way,  as  I  have 
heretofore  been  enabled  to  do.  Having  done  the  business  of  the 
office  chiefly  by  clerks,  it  has  not  been  much  in  my  way,  it  is  true,  as 
it  regards  my  ministerial  duties.  But  in  my  old  age,  I  wish  mv 
mind  entirely  free  from  all  responsibilities  of  such  a  character. 
Thei-efore  I  shall  free  myself  of  the  office.      *        *        *        * 

You  seem  pressing  on  the  subject  of  my  writing  for  the  benefit  of 


MEANS    OF    USEFULNESS.  287 

the  church  :  and  did  I  not  believe  you  incapable  of  sinful  flattery, 
I  would  be  very  apt  to  suspect  of  it,  wlien  you  talk  of  my  gifts  in 
investigating  and  writing.  I  may  have  some  little  talent  for  investi- 
gation, as  much  as  ordinary  men  ;  but  I  do  assure  you,  my  brother, 
that  I  do  generally  regard  myself  comparatively  as  quite  a  clumsy 
writer.  This  is  no  affectation  of  modesty :  it  is  the  plain  truth.  I 
never  could  please  myself  in  writing,  nor  communicate  my  thoughts 
half  as  forcibly  in  that  way  as  by  speaking.  However  I  am  old  ; 
and  '■  experience  teacheth  knowledge,"  and  may  have  taught  me 
some  things  which  a  younger  man  may  not  have  learned.  But,  my 
good  brother,  you  do  not  know  the  almost  constant  bodily  infirmities 
under  which  I  labor.  As  it  regards  my  lungs,  stomach,  and  general 
strength,  they  are  uncommonly  good  for  a  man  of  my  age,  especially 
one  who  has  endured  so  much  labor  and  hardship.  But  I  am  almost 
constantly  afflicted  with  distressing  pains  in  some  part  of  my  mortal 
frame ;  and  when  they  are  acute,  I  cannot  be  sufticiently  composed 
to  think  or  write.  Yet  I  greatly  desire  to  be  somewhat  useful,  while 
I  live  and  after  I  am  dead.  Therefore  I  feel  every  disposition  to 
write,  if  by  that  means  I  can  do  any  good.  But  what  shall  I  write  "? 
Shall  it  be  in  the  form  of  letters  on  various  subjects,  addressed  to  my 
brother  Cossitt  1  My  good  brother,  I  am  not  certain  but  you  are 
bringing  yourself  into  trouble,  by  urging  me  so  strongly  to  write. 
For  I  feel  a  strong  inclination,  if  I  should  be  spared  and  be  favored 
with  health  to  write,  to  address  all  my  communications  to  the  Presi- 
dent of  Cumberland  College,  icithout  transcribing  one  of  them  —  for  my 
infirmities  will  scarcely  admit  of  that — to  be  used  by  the  said 
President  in  whatever  way  he  may  think  proper :  whether  to  suppress, 
or  prepare  for  the  press  and  publish  them.  Now,  my  brother,  as  God 
may  give  me  some  health  and  some  spirit  to  write,  I  urge  you  in 
your  next  to  propose  the  subjects  on  which  I  should  write.  What 
subjects  within  the  grasp  of  my  feeble  powers,  would  be  most  useful 
and  edifying  to  the  church  1  Be  explicit,  give  me  plenty  ;  and  then 
perhaps  I  will  he  able  to  respond  to  some  of  them. 

*********** 
As  yet  I  have  had  no  opportunity  to  do  any  thing  fur  your  excel- 
lent monthly,  "  The  Banner  of  Peace."  So  much  am  I  pleased  with 
it,  I  would  be  glad  it  could  be  published  twice  a  week.  I  herewith 
inclose  you  ten  names  with  the  casii  for  advance  payment.  I  have 
not  even  seen  these  brethreu  to  ask,  if  they  will  take  the  paper! 


288  MEANS    OF    USEFULNESS. 

But  I  presume  tlie  most  or  all  of  them  will  refund  the  price  to  me 
and  after  this  volume,  to  you.  If  not,  they  will  read  it.  I  presume 
I  make  the  price  of  postage  easier  than  you  do.  Therefore  I  insist 
on  paying  all,  both  ways.  You  must  not  object.  Write  to  me  on 
the  receipt  of  this.     Ivind  regard  to  the  good  lady. 

Truly  your  brother,  FINIS  EWING. 

The  author,  believing  that  Mr.  Ewing  had  investigated 
certain  theological  subjects  more  critically  than  any 
other  man  in  the  church,  and  that  his  high  standing 
would  give  his  works  a  wide  circulation  and  cause  them 
to  be  read,  continued  to  urge  and  encourage  him  to 
write,  proposing  the  subjects,  and  suggesting  that  he 
should  commit  to  paper  some  facts  in  regard  to  his  own 
life  and  labors  to  aid  some  one  who,  after  his  decease, 
might  undertake  his  biography.  In  a  letter  not  here 
given,  he  says  :  "  When  I  suggested  the  superior  fitness 
of  many  other  brethren  to  write  on  those  subjects,  I 
spake  candidly  and  unfeignedly.  Your  remarks,  how- 
ever, in  reply  are  forcible  ;  and  should  I  be  favored 
with  health,  I  would  be  willing  to  do  my  best."  After 
speaking  again  of  his  distressing  pains  and  infirmities, 
he  says,  "  I  am  deterred  from  writing  any  thing 
concerning  myself,  by  several  considerations.  On  the 
one  hand,  there  would  be  a  temptation  to  conceal  or 
omit  my  faults,  and  I  have  been  guilty  of  many  ;  on 
the  other,  a  delicacy  in  telhng  the  whole  truth,  with 
regard  to  the  part  I  have  taken  in  the  organization  and 
progress  of  our  branch  of  the  church." 

In  the  last  letter  received  by  the  author,  Mr.  Ewing 
expresses  his  high  approbation  of  the  Banner  of  Peace, 
and  sends  a  list  of  subscriptions  which  he  had  obtained 


MEANS    OF   USEFULNESS.  289 

for  the  endowment  of  Cumberland  College,  amounting 
to  eleven  hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars. 

It  is  said  that  Mr.  Ewing  kept  up  his  habits  of  study, 
and  continued  to  improve  while  he  lived.  A  very  in- 
telligent gentleman,  who  had  long  known  him  and  been 
accustomed  to  hear  him  preach,  was  present  at  his  lasc 
sermon  ;  and  said  :  "  this  sermon  was  truly  excellent ; 
and  I  think  it  decidedly  the  best  I  ever  heard  from 
hira." 

Mr.  Ewing  departed  this  life,  July  4th,  1841,  in  hia 
68th  year.  His  death  was  calm  and  peaceful.  His 
hopes  were  in  heaven.  He  left  the  world,  trusting  in 
the  merits  of  that  Saviour  whom  he  loved  and  whom  he 
served.  "■  Tell  me  how  a  man  has  lived,'"  says  a  certain 
writer,  "  and  I  can  tell  you  how  he  died."  It  might 
have  been  desired  by  many,  that  a  fuller  account  of  the 
closing  scene  of  his  life  had  been  given.  But  this  is 
not  in  the  power  of  the  biographer.  Such  doubtless 
had  been  his  life  that  he  could  say  with  Job :  "  All  the 
days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait,  till  my  change 
come."  And  when  he  looked  at  the  extent  and  un- 
paralleled success  of  the  Church,  which  he,  with  others 
assisting  him,  had  founded,  and  the  prosperity  of  his  own 
beloved  family,  he  well  might  say,  "  Lord,  now  lettest 
thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  according  to  thy 
■word:  for  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation." 

The  names  of  Mr.  Ewing's  children  are  the  following: 

1.  Winiford,  (wife  of  Henry  Ruby)  deceased. 

2.  Wm.  Lee,  (Gen.  Ewing,  late  a  Senator  in  Congress 
from  Illinois)  deceased. 

25 


290  MEANS   OF   USEFULNESS. 

3.  Thompson  McGready,  (Col.  Ewing,  several  times 
a  representative  from  Todd  county  to  the  Legislature  of 
Kentucky),  now  of  Lafayette  county,  Missouri. 

4.  Dovey,  who  died  in  infancy. 

5.  Mary,  who  died  in  infancy. 

6.  Baxter  McGee,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  in 
Cooper  county,  Missouri. 

7.  Mary  Anderson,  who  married  Archibald  Cavenaugh, 
after  whose  death,  she  married  Chatham  Ewing  and 
lives  in  Lafayette  county,  Missouri. 

8.  Margaret  Davidson,  the  wife  of  Rev.  Robert  Sloan, 
of  Independence,  Missouri. 

9.  Pamela  Jane,  who  married  Dr.  James  W.  Reed, 
after  whose  death,  she  married  Horseley  Rea,  and 
resides  in  Port  Lavacca,  Texas. 

10.  Finis  Young,  of  Lexington,  Missouri. 

11.  Washingten  Perry,  of  California. 

- 12.  Robert  Chatham  Donnell,  Attorney  at  Law,  and 
late  United  States  Marshall  of  Missouri. 

13.  Ephraim  Barnett,  of  Rea  county.  Attorney  at 
Law,  and  Secretary  of  State  for  Missouri. 

The  author  having  addressed  a  letter  of  inquiry  to 
Rev.  Robert  D.  Morrow,  D.D.,  President  of  Chapel  Hill 
College,  Missouri,  his  reply  will  conclude  this  chapter : 

"  Rev.  Finis  Ewing's  piety  was  of  the  deepest  charac- 
ter. I  have  not  been  acquainted  with  any  person  who 
gave  evidence  that  his  piety  was  of  a  purer,  or  more 
scriptural  kind.  He  was  a  man  of  strong  faith,  un- 
wavering in  its  character,  and  rationally  fixed  on  God 
and  his  promises.    His  zeal  was  according  to  knowledge, 


MEANS    OP    USEFULNESS.  291 

therefore  he  was  not  enthusiastic  or  wild,  carried  away 
with  feelings,  but  pure  and  fervent.  He  gave  evidence 
of  a  great  concern  for  a  perishing  world  ;  and  especially 
for  his  neighbors,  who  were  living  without  Christ ;  this 
not  in  word  and  tongue,  but  in  deed  and  truth. 

As  a  preacher,  he  was  laborious,  bodily  and  mentally. 
It  was  evident,  that  he  considered  a  minister  should  be  a 
laborer  and  not  a  loiterer.  He  attended  camp  meetings, 
highly  approved  of  them,  was  a  supportor  of  them  at 
home,  always  camping  and  furnishing  food  and  lodging 
in  a  very  fair  proportion  in  the  congregation  wherever 
he  lived.  When  in  attendance  he  generally  preached 
from  three  to  five  times  when  health  would  permit.  His 
preaching  always  gave  evidence  of  a  strong,  well-informed 
mind,  and  generally  manifested  a  heart  deeply  imbued 
with  the  love  of  God,  feeding  the  lambs  and  sheep  of 
God ;  and  bringing  conviction  to  the  sinner's  heart. 
Many,  no  doubt,  were  converted  through  his  instru- 
mentality, and  many  churches  raised  up  by  his  efibrts. 
I  have  heard  him  preach  from  "  And  ye  will  not  come 
unto  me,  that  you  might  have  life ;"  "  Have  faith  in 
God ; "  "  What  shall  it  profit  a  man,  if  he  shall  gain 
the  whole  world  and  lose  his  own  soul  ?  "  "  He  is  the 
propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also 
for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world,"  His  sermons  were 
generally  systematic,  logical  and  impressive  ;  cheering 
the  heart  of  the  Christian  and  convincing  the  sinner  ;  his 
manner  of  treating  his  texts  gave  evidence  that  h& 
matured  his  subjects  well,  and  did  not  speak  at  random. 

As  a  pastor,  he  was  faithful  to  his  flock,  ready  to 


292  JIEANS    OF    USEFULNESS. 

minister  to  their  wants,  visiting  from  house  to  house. 
His  counsels  were  of  a  wholesome  character,  with  a 
happy  talent  in  settling  difficulties  that  occurred  among 
the  people  of  his  charge  ;  having  superior  knowledge  in 
the  nature  and  happy  tact  in  the  administration  of  dis- 
cipline. His  brethren  esteemed  him  as  a  man  of  God, 
an  excellent  minister  of  the  Gospel,  a  wise  counsellor, 
and  an  affectionate  brother  in  Christ.  His  neighbors, 
his  friends,  and  the  public  generally,  viewed  him  as  a 
talented  man,  a  Christian  and  worthy  minister,  well 
furnished  in  every  respect,  to  fill  the  station  in  which  he 
was,  in  the  providence  of  God,  called  to  act,  as  one  of 
the  founders  of  a  distinct  denomination  of  Christians. 
The  frequent  mention  made  of  him  and  his  preaching 
by  the  ministers  and  brethren  at  camp-meetings  during 
the  summer  of  his  death,  (his  death  occurring  in  July) 
■was  evidence  that  he  was  lamented  and  his  loss  deeply 
felt ;  and  especially  at  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  in 
the  fall,  where  there  was  suitable  action  taken  expres- 
sive of  the  deep  regret  felt,  and  great  loss  sustained  in 
his  death. 

As  a  Presbyter,  he  was  able,  persevering,  and 
cautious ;  particularly  in  the  reception,  licensure,  and 
ordination  of  young  men  for  the  ministry  ;  desiring 
always  to  have  a  clear  evidence  of  their  deep  piety  and 
special  call  to  the  holy  work.  I  recollect  one  remark 
he  made  to  me  when  I  was  quite  young  in  the  ministry, 
"a  preacher  should  not  only  5g  honest,  but  he  should 
appear  to  be  honest."  This  has  occurred  to  me  in 
making  contracts  in  wordly  matters.    A  preacher  should 


MEANS  OF  USEFULNESS.  293 

never  make  contracts  that  he  cannot  meet ;  if  he  do, 
some  person  will  think  him  dishonest  perhaps,  though  he 
is  honest  in  his  intentions. 

At  the  time  of  Father  E wing's  removal  to  Missouri, 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  was  in  its  infancy 
in  the  far  west.  The  first  Presbytery  ever  held  in  the 
State  convened  in  Pike  county,  May,  1820,  about  the 
time  he  with  his  family  crossed  the  Mississippi  river. 
The  Presbytery  was  composed  of  the  following  minis- 
ters :  Daniel  Buie,  Green  P.  Rice,  John  Carnahan,  and 
Robert  D.  Morrow.  The  members  of  the  church  then 
numbered  in  the  whole  State  about  fifty. 

In  September  of  the  same  year,  the  Presbytery 
convened  at  Booneville,  Cooper  county,  when  Father 
Ewing  became  a  member,  and  three  young  men  were 
received  as  candidates  for  the  ministry.  During  the 
ensuing  year,  in  addition  to  circuit  preaching,  there 
were  several  two  days'  meetings  and  a  few  camp  meet- 
ings held  in  various  parts  of  the  State,  in  which  Father 
Ewing  took  a  very  active  part. 

The  labors  of  himself  and  brethren  were  blessed  of 
heaven,  and  many  were  added  to  the  church.  The 
following  year  there  were  several  congregations  organ- 
ized, circuit-preaching  extended,  and  some  six  or  seven 
camp  meetings  held.  The  work  of  God  was  revived, 
many  made  profession  of  religion,  and  a  considerable 
increase  of  candidates  for  the  ministry. 

The  demand  for  preaching  had  so  inci-eased  that  some 
of  the  most  efficient  young  men  were  placed  on  circuits, 
without  furraal  licensure,  to  hold  meetings  and  exhort 


294  MEAXS  OF  USEFULNESS. 

the  people.  The  number  of  camp  meetings  considerably 
increased,  and  several  new  congregations  were  organized. 
The  next  year  the  demand  for  ministerial  labor  had 
greatly  increased,  a  goodly  number  of  the  young  brethren 
were  licensed  and  told  by  the  Presbytery,  in  the  name 
of  Christ,  to  go  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature  ;  and  they  "  knowing  the  terror  of  the 
Lord  would  persuade  men,"  and  constrained  by  the  love 
of  Christ,  thus  judged  that  if  Christ  died  for  all,  then 
were  all  dead  ;  and  that  he  died  for  all,  that  they  which 
should  henceforth  live  should  not  live  unto  themselves, 
but  unto  him  who  died  for  them  and  rose  again.  In  all 
these  labors  Father  Ewing  bore  a  full  share. 

The  demand  for  preaching  still  increased.  The  doctrines 
preached  by  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  ministers  were 
well  received,  and  under  God,  were  made  powerful  to 
the  awakening  and  converting  of  many  souls.  There 
were  at  least  sixteen  camp  meetings  held  this  summer. 
The  success  was  similar  from  year  to  year,  so  that  when 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church  was  formed,  there  was  a  Synod  organized  called 
Missouri ;  at  first  including  the  States  of  Missouri  and 
Arkansas. 

In  a  short  time,  however,  the  increase  of  ministers 
was  so  great  that  there  were  Presbyteries  sufficient 
to  form  a  Synod  in  Arkansas.  During  every  succeeding 
year  God  was  evidently  with  the  preachers  and  people, 
new  congregations  formed,  new  Presbyteries  organized, 
until  Father  Ewing's  death.  From  the  time  of  his 
arrival  in  Missouri  until   his  death,    the   Cumberland 


MEANS  OF  USEFULNESS.  295 

Presbyterian  church  had  increased  from  a  few  scat- 
tered members  to  a  large  number  of  organized  congre- 
gations ;  the  ministry  has  increased  more  than  tenfold, 
and  from  one  Presbytery  -which  included  the  States  of 
Missouri  and  Arkansas,  and  nearly  half  of  Illinois,  to 
seven  Presbyteries  in  the  State  of  Missouri  alone. 

Father  Ewing  was,  during  all  the  time,  emphatically 
one  of  the  laborers^  riding  by  day  and  by  night  in  a 
newly  settled  part  of  the  world,  sometimes  swimming 
•creeks  on  his  horse,  and  at  others,  having  no  where  to  lay 
his  head  but  on  his  saddle  bags  in  the  open  air.  The 
last  summer  before  his  death  he  was  more  engaged  in 
Attending  camp  meetings,  preaching  frequently,  and 
often  remaining  until  a  late  hour  in  the  night  convers- 
ing with  and  praying  for  moui-ners. 

The  writer  of  this  sketch  of  the  acts,  &c.,  of  a  few  of 
the  last  years  of  Father  Ewing's  life,  and  labors,  was  an 
-eye  witness  to  the  scenes.  He  generally  traveled  with 
\ivax ;  has  seen  him  plunge  into  the  muddy  stream  and 
swim ;  has  slept  by  his  side  on  the  ground  by  night,  our 
horses  tied  to  a  tree,  without  food,  and  then  ride  next 
morning  until  twelve  o'clock,  before  breakfast  could  be 
had.  AH  these  fatigues  and  privations  were  borne  by 
the  departed  Ewing  with  the  firmness  and  resignation 
•of  a  Christian  minister.  Toward  the  close  of  his  life 
lie  frequently  told  the  writer,  that  he  had  been  wonder- 
fully blessed  of  God.  In  addition  to  the  personal 
enjoyment  of  religion,  he  had  lived  to  see  the  denomi- 
nation which  he  had  with  two  other  brethren,  been  the 
ibumble  instrument  in  founding,  spread  alraost  o?er  the 


296  MEANS    0¥   USEFULNESS. 

United  States,  and  taking  a  very  respectable  stand  in 
the  Christian  world. 

A  few  days  before  his  de«,th  he  told  the  writer  he 
was  willing  to  depart  when  it  was  heaven's  will  to  take 
him ;  his  mind  was  perfectly  calm  ;  he  had  no  fears  as 
to  his  destiny  beyond  the  grave ;  had  lived  to  see  all 
his  natui-al  children  able  to  take  care  of  themselves, 
and  many  of  his  sons  in  the  ministry,  able  to  defend  the 
doctrines  of  the  church. 

The  writer  told  him  there  was  one  thing  he  regretted, 
that  he  (Ewing)  had  not  written  a  treatise  on  church 
government;  he  said  he  regretted  himself,  that  he  had 
not  written  more  than  he  had,  but  it  had  always  appeared 
to  him,  that  there  was  such  a  demand  for  preaching, 
that  he  had  not  time ;  but  were  it  to  do  again,  he 
believed  he  would  preach  less  and  write  more  ;  but  said 
he,  '  God  will  take  care  of  his  own  church.'  " 


CHAPTER  XXm. 

PRIVATE    CHARACTER    OP    REV.    FINIS    EWING. 

Hia  personal  appearance —  Family  discipline  —  Social  qualities  —  Priyate  corres- 
pondence —  Enemies  and  friends — Instruction  of  his  pupils  —  Courage  — 
Industry  —  Temperance  and  health  —  Diess  —  Sports  of  the  chase  —  Lectures 
attacked  —  The  dog  and  the  moon  —  Benerelence  —  A  little  book  —  Anecdote  — 
Bequest  to  Lexington  Presbytery. 

The  attentive  reader  of  the  preceding  pages  has 
become  sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  pubhc  character 
and  services  of  the  subject  of  this  biography,  duly  to 
appreciate  them.  But  the  public  character  of  some 
men  often  affords  but  a  poor  criterion,  by  which  to  judge 
of  their  private  lives.  Public  virtues  sometimes  com- 
mand the  respect  and  admiration  of  mankind ;  while 
the  private  vices  of  the  same  individual  excite  their 
pity  and  regret.  Hence  we  are  apt  to  feel  that  we  are 
not  thoroughly  acquainted  with  a  man,  however  often 
we  .may  have  witnessed  the  exhibition  of  his  best  quali- 
ties in  public  ;  and  it  is  only  after  we  have  noticed  the 
unstudied  and  undisguised  development  of  his  principles, 
manners  and  habits  in  the  domestic  and  social  circles, 
that  we  are  sure  we  know  him  as  he  is.  The  reader 
may  be  curious  to  be  better  informed  respecting  Mr. 
Ewing's  private  character.  The  desire  is  laudable  ; 
and  justice  to  both  requires  a  few  observations  on  the 
subject. 


w 


298  PRIVATE  CHAEACTER  OF 

It  may  be  proper,  first,  to  notice  his  personal  appear- 
ance, lie  was  six  feet  in  height,  and,  -when  young, 
rather  slender  but  remarkably  straight.  From  middle 
age  to  his  last  illness,  he  was  slightly  inclined  to 
corpulency.  His  complexion  was  ruddy,  and  his  hair 
prematurely  gray.  His  figure  and  deportment  evinced 
remarkable  dignity.  His  air  was  grave  and  serious ; 
but  his  manners  were  easy  and  flexible.  Seldom,  if 
ever,  is  the  pulpit  filled  by  one  whose  presence  and 
demeanor  are  more  calculated  to  inspire  his  audience 
with  respect  and  veneration.  To  describe  his  counte- 
nance would  be  a  vain  attempt.  The  expressiveness  of 
those  features,  varying  according  to  the  thoughts  and 
feelings  which  gave  them  their  interest  and  animation, 
never  could  be  portrayed  by  the  pen  or  the  pencil. 
Several  likenesses  have  at  different  times  been  taken, 
and  have  accompanied  his  works ;  but  none  of  them 
bear  any  strong  resemblance  to  the  original.  The 
likeness  in  this  volume,  taken  by  a  skillful  artist  from 
the  best  painting  extant,  falls  short  of  the  requisite 
accuracy.  It  is  probably  the  best  which  ever  has  or 
ever  will  be  taken.  For  the  man,  whose  lineaments 
of  face  were  so  much  lighted  up  or  shaded  down, 
by  the  workings  of  his  mind  and  the  feelings  of  his 
heart,  would  always  foil  the  skill  of  the  painter  and 
the  engraver ;  and  a  correct  likeness  never  could  be 
produced, 

In  his  family  discipline,  he  was  very  rigid,  perhaps 
more  so  than  would  by  some  be  thought  advisable.  But 
he  remembered  the  proverb,  •■  train  up  a  child  in  the 


KEV.    FINIS    EWING.  299 

way  he  should  go  ;  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not 
depart  from  it."  He  required  a  strict  attendance  by 
all  the  members,  both  children  and  servants,  as  well  as 
any  other  persons  who  might  be  sojourners  with  him,  at 
family  worship,  morning  and  evening.  He  insisted  on 
the  most  rigid  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  and  constant 
attendance  at  church  by  all  who  were  able  to  go.  He 
constantly  labored  and  prayed  that  every  member  of  his 
household  might  become  experimentally  and  practically 
pious.  His  instructions,  admonitions,  and  warnings 
were  not  spared  ;  and  his  efforts  were  laborious  and 
unceasing.  This  was  a  source  of  constant  and  deep 
concern  to  him,  until  his  last  moments. 

In  the  social  circle,  he  was  exceedingly  agreeable, 
communicative,  and  well  informed  on  almost  all  topics, 
even  those  of  ordinary  conversation.  His  colloquial 
powers  were  of  a  high  order ;  and  whatever  subject  he 
touched,  he  rendered  truly  interesting  by  the  playful- 
ness of  his  humor  or  the  power  of  his  arguments.  He 
was  fond  of  company,  particularly  that  of  ministers 
and  religious  persons  ;  and  would  sit  for  hours,  discuss- 
ing in  a  calm  and  pleasant  manner  subjects  of  mutual 
interest. 

His  private  correspondence  must  have  been  remarkably 
extensive.  Besides  a  constant  correspondence  with 
ministers,  on  the  subject  of  the  great  interests  of  the 
church,  he  was  continually  receiving  communications 
from  many  of  the  distinguished  politicians  of  the  country, 
which  he  always  answered  with  promptitude.  He 
received   manv   letters  from  Gen.   Jackson,   Mr.  Van 


800  PRIVATE    CHARACTER    OF 

Buren,  Col.  Benton,  Senator  Linn,  and  others.  He 
made  it  a  principle  to  assert  and  exercise  the  rights  of  a 
freeman  and  responsible  citizen.  He  believed  the  right 
of  suffrage  an  invaluable  privilege,  and  its  conscientious 
exercise  an  indispensable  duty.  He  has  sometimes  been 
censured  for  the  freedom  of  his  conversations  on  political 
subjects.  It  was  a  maxim  with  him  that  every  man 
should  understand  and  do  his  duty  to  the  Government 
under  which  he  lived.  He  was  very  far  removed  from 
intolerance,  and  never  proscribed  or  censured  others  for 
their  opposite  views. 

A  man  of  his  characteristics  of  mind  and  heart  could 
scarcely  fail  to  meet  with  some  enemies ;  and  the  few 
whom  he  had  the  misfortune  to  offend  were  rancorous 
and  vindictive.  The  truth  is,  his  opinions  were  always 
expressed  with  uncommon  freedom  and  fearlessness.  He 
seemed  to  have  no  concealments  about  any  thing,  and 
no  toleration  for  a  mean  principle,  a  mean  act,  or  a  mean 
man.  But  on  the  contrary  his  friendships  were  uniform 
and  lasting.  His  adherence  to  men  who  once  enlisted 
his  sympathies  and  gained  his  friendship  was  indeed 
remarkable,  sometimes  holding  on  to  their  defence  and 
support,  till  their  unworthiness  became  notorious.  He 
had  great  influence  with  those  to  whom  he  was 
attached ;  and  his  counsels  and  opinions  were  deferred 
to  with  profound  respect  by  all  his  younger  friends  and 
acquaintances. 

In  his  instructions  to  his  pupils  —  it  must  be  remem- 
bered that  he  was  training  them  for  the  ministry  —  he 
was  an  example  of  faithfulness.     The  most  trivial  fault 


REV.   FINIS   EWING.  301 

was  observed  and  reproved  with  a  stern  integrity,  but 
with  a  mild  and  paternal  authority. 

He  possessed  a  rare  degree  of  moral  and  physical 
courage.  Both  have  been  tried  in  almost  every  possible 
way  ;  but  a  bold  defiance  was  always  thrown  into  the 
face  of  all  demonstrations  of  hostility  or  opposition. 
His  long,  active,  and  conspicuous  career  exposed  him  to 
many  assaults,  both  from  bad  men  and  from  ministers 
of  other  sects  ;  but  no  one  ever  discovered  his  spirit  to 
quail  in  the  most  trying  emergency.  It  is  said  that,  in  his 
youth,  he  was  as  remai'kable  for  his  proneness  to  anger 
or  a  natural  irritability  of  temper,  as  for  his  boldness  of 
daring  and  contempt  of  danger.  If  this  be  true,  consid- 
ering how  completely  he  was  under  the  control  of  his 
principles  and  conscience,  he  must  indeed,  as  he  often 
said,  have  been  a  miracle  of  grace.  It  is  probably 
true  ;  and  the  following  remark,  which  his  brother, 
Chatham  Ewing,  was  often  heard  to  make,  would  seem 
to  confirm  its  justness  :  "I  most  certainly  believe  my 
brother.  Finis,  to  be  a  true  Christian ;  for  I  am  well 
assured  that  nothing  but  divine  grace,  and  a  great  deal 
of  grace,  could  ever  control  that  turbulent  spirit  of  his, 
and  make  him  as  meek  and  humble  as  he  is." 

His  personal  habits  were  chiefly  remarkable  for  energy 
and  industry.  He  addressed  himself  to  the  duties 
before  him,  with  an  attention  and  perseverance  that 
generally  led  to  a  speedy  accomplishment.  He  was 
emphatically  a  laboring  man.  Idleness  to  him  was  a 
sin.  When  at  home  he  was  constantly  employed  in 
reading  or  writing,  or  attending  to  the  affairs  of  his 


802  PRIVATE  CHARACTER  OP 

household.  He  personally  superintended  his  farming 
operations,  and  took  great  interest  in  having  every 
thing  done  with  system  and  neatness.  His  fields  and 
grounds  were  laid  out  with  mathematical  precision  ;  and 
a  general  order  pervaded  the  whole  establishment.  He 
was  remarkably  temperate  in  all  things,  and  as  a  conse- 
quence, never  in  his  life  had  any  serious  sickness  except 
the  short  confinement  mentioned  in  one  of  his  letters  — 
until  his  last  illness.  With  this  strict  attention  to  his 
health  and  habits  he  was  enabled  to  pass  through  a  long 
career  of  toil  and  labor,  without  those  premonitions  of 
failure  or  decay  which  have  early  come  upon  many  a 
minister.  He  traveled  much,  generally  on  horseback  ; 
and  could  preach  a  great  many  sermons  in  rapid  succes- 
sion, without  any  sensible  exhaustion  of  strength.  In 
his  dress  he  was  always  plain  but  neat :  this  was  one  of 
his  la\YS  of  order.  He  sometimes,  but  very  rarely, 
indulged  in  the  sports  of  the  chase.  His  early  life  and 
service  in  the  Indian  war  in  Tennessee  made  him 
familiar  with  the  use  of  the  rifle,  and  he  was  a  good 
marksman. 

Generally  he  was  above  annoyance  from  small  causes  ; 
trifling  circumstances  rarely  ruffled  his  temper.  When 
his  Lectures  were  first  published,  they  were  the  object 
of  attacks  from  a  great  many  of  the  neighboring  minis- 
ters, particularly  the  Methodist  circuit-riders.  These 
things  were  always  reported  to  him ;  but  he  generally 
replied  with  some  pleasantry.  To  a  communication, 
informing  of  some  attack  upon  him,  he  once  replied  with 
the  following  anecdote :    "  A  dog  was  once  observed 


REV.   riNIS    EWIXG.  303 

barking  verj  furiously  at  a  gleam  of  moon-shine,  that 
passed  through  an  aperture  in  a  dense  foliage."  It 
■was  asked,  "  and  what  did  the  moon  do  ?  "  "  Why/'  it 
was  answered,  "  she  shone  on."  His  self-possession 
rarely  forsook  him ;  and  his  patience  under  persecution 
was  Christian-like  and  exemplary. 

A  very  pleasing  trait  in  his  private  character  was  his 
systematic  benevolence.  It  will  be  remembered  that 
he  uniformly  served  his  congregations  without  receiving 
or  desiring  any  remuneration  ;  also,  that  he  gratuitously 
clothed,  boarded,  and  instructed  candidates  for  the 
ministry.  Of  the  emoluments  derived  from  his  office,  he 
contributed  largely  to  all  the  demands  that  the  various 
enterprises  of  the  church  made  upon  him.  He  was  one 
of  those  who  religiously  believed  it  to  be  the  sacred  duty 
of  a  Christian  to  give  liberally  of  his  abundance,  to  the 
support  and  spread  of  the  gospel.  He  was  not  osten- 
tatious in  his  benevolence.  No  one  ever  knew  the  nature 
and  extent  of  his  charitable  donations.  A  little  blank 
book,  with  various  memoranda  in  his  own  hand,  found 
among  his  papers  after  his  death,  disclosed  some  gratify- 
ing facts  illustrative  of  his  private  charities.  This  little 
book'  exhibited  his  system  of  giving  to  a  great  variety 
of  objects.  The  widow,  the  orphan,  the  poor  young 
preacher,  the  circuit-rider,  the  church  edifice,  perhaps 
in  a  neighboring  county,  all  came  in  for  a  share  of  his 
Christian  sympathy  and  aid.  And,  until  after  his  death, 
no  one  knew,  in  many  instances,  of  these  kindly  acts, 
except  the  recipients  themselves. 

On  one  occasion,  a  minister  from  an  adjoining  county 


304  PRIVATE    CHARACTER    OF 

.  made  him  a  visit,  and  communicated  his  business  by 
relating  the  following  anecdote  :  "  A  certain  wagoner 
had  a  team  of  horses  that  were  all  halky  but  one,  and 
that  was  old  Dick.  Whenever  he  came  to  a  hard  pull 
in  the  road,  although  old  Dick  was  always  pulling  and 
doing  his  duty,  he  knew  the  failing  of  his  other  horses, 
and  unless  old  Dick  was  whipped,  his  wagon  was 
stopped,  sticking  fast  in  the  mud.  He  therefore  was 
laid  under  the  necessity  of  whipping  his  faithful  old  Dick, 
at  all  the  hard  pulls ;  and  in  this  way  he  never  stalled. 
The  minister  had  tried  his  own  congregation,  for  means 
to  buy  land  and  build  a  church  ;  and  he  had  come  twenty 
miles  to  whip  old  Dick."  The  land  was  bought,  and 
the  church  built. 

He  left  a  handsome  bequest  to  Lexington  Presbytery, 
the  interest  to  be  appropriated  to  the  support  of  mis- 
sionaries within  its  bounds. 

Mr.  Ewing  was  emphatically  a  great,  as  well  as  a 
good  man.  All  who  were  capable  of  appreciating  his 
character  and  qualifications  must  have  regarded  him,  as 
one  of  that  class  of  men  —  occasionally  to  be  found  in 
all  countries,  but  more  numerous  in  the  west  perhaps 
than  elsewhere  —  who  are  self-disciplined,  self-educated, 
and  self-made  ;  who  have  an  eye,  an  ear,  and  a  heart  for 
every  thing,  and  derive  instruction  from  whatever  falls 
in  their  way ;  who,  regardless  of  established  usages  and 
forestalling  the  lessons  of  a  master,  seem  intuitively  to 
grasp  and  successfully  to  appropriate  whatever  is  of 
practical  utility  in  the  learning  of  the  schools.  Books 
doubtless  did  furnish  him  with  wholesome  food  for  thought 


REV.    FINIS   EWING.  305 

and  profitable  materials  for  reflection,  and  must  have 
added  much  of  reasoning  and  savor  to  those  intel- 
lectual resources  which  his  experience  and  observation 
of  men  and  things  had  accumulated.  Yet  all  his 
knowledge,  however  acquired,  like  grain  sown  in  a 
fruitful  soil,  seemed  ta  become  productive,  yielding  a 
plentiful  harvest. 

But  his  intellectual  strength  consisted  in  his  power  of 
logical  analysis,  his  method  of  close  investigation,  his 
array  of  irresistible  arguments,  presented  in  a  style  of 
native  strength,  chaste  simplicity,  and  often  of  sparkling 
brilliancy.  Nor  was  he  ever  known  to  betray  that 
confusion  of  ideas  which  embarrasses  some  public 
speakers.  In  his  mind,  all  was  clear  and  consistent ; 
and  in  his  expositions,  all  was  lucid  and  satisfactory. 
He  knew  no  mental  indolence.  He  was  ever  active  in 
the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  especially  of  those  branches 
which  could  render  him  useful  to  his  fellow-men.  And 
every  branch  of  knowledge  had  with  him,  not  only  a 
safe  depository  but  an  assigned  department.  Unlike 
the  merchant's  goods  when  scattered  in  confusion  over 
his  counters,  but  like  those  same  precious  commodities 
when  arranged  in  order  on  their  shelves,  each  in  its 
proper  place  ;  his  varied  and  extensive  information  con- 
stituted an  available  fund,  from  which  he  could  bring 
forth  truths  new  and  old,  as  occasion  might  require. 

Had  he  chosen  to  serve  his  country  in  the  profession 

of  arms,  who  can  say  that,  with  his  indomitable  courage, 

energy,  and  perseverance,  he  would  not  have  reached 

the  eminence  of  a  Jackson,  a  Taylor,  or  a  Scott  ?     Had 

26 


806  PRIVATE  CHARACTER. 

he  devoted  himself  with  all  his  intellectual  strength  and 
resources  to  law  and  politics,  who  will  deny  that  he 
might  have  vied  with  a  Calhoun,  a  Clay,  or  a  Webster  ? 
But  under  the  providence  of  God,  he  chose  the  humble, 
self-denying,  and  self-sacrificing  work  of  the  gospel 
ministry.  And  the  achievements  of  this  profession, 
though  unheralded  by  fame  and  overlooked  by  the  proud, 
will  continue  to  shine  with  increasing  lustre,  when  the 
dazzling  glories  of  warriors  and  statesmen  shall  have 
become  dimmed  by  time,  and  the  true  distinction 
between  things  temporal  and  things  eternal  shall  be 
fully  recognized. 


CHAPTER  XXIV, 

A    FUNERAL    SERMON. 

On  the  death  of  Rer.  PINTS  EWING,  delivered  before  the  General  Assembly  at 
Owensboro,  Kentucky,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  in  May,  1842,  by  Rev.  Hiram  A, 
Hunter,  pastor  of  the  church  at  that  place,  now  of  Philadelphia. 

Me  being  dead  yet  speaketh :  Hebrews  xi,  4. 

The  present  state  is  one  in  which  the  affairs  of 
nations,  communities,  and  individuals  are  liable  to 
continual  fluctuations.  And  the  mind  needs  some 
principle  capable  of  supporting  it  under  every  adverse 
circumstance  that  may  occur. 

Philosophy's  aid  has  been  tendered  in  vain  ;  unassisted 
reason's  light  has  proved  inadequate  to  impart  efficient 
relief ;  but  revelation's  bright  and  cheering  ray,  points 
to  a  source,  whence,  in  the  midst  of  trouble,  the  heart 
may  find  a  solace,  which  nothing  earthly  gives,  or  can 
destroy. 

Is  a  nation  afflicted  ?  Let  it  give  ear  to  Jehovah's 
speech  :  "  say  ye  not  a  confederacy,  to  all  them  to 
whom  this  people  shall  say,  a  confederacy  ;  neither  fear 
ye  their  fear,  nor  be  afraid.  Sanctify  the  Lord  of 
hosts  himself,  and  let  him  be  your  fear,  and  let  him  be 
your  dread." 

Is  an  individual  agitated  in  view  of  personal  danger  ? 
Let  him  take  heed  to  the  divine  admonition:  "  I,  even 


308  A  FUXEKAL  SERMON. 

I,  am  he  that  comforteth  you  :  who  art  thou,  that  thou 
shouldst  be  afraid  of  a  man  that  shall  die,  and  of  the 
Son  of  man  which  shall  be  made  as  grass  —  and  for- 
gettest  the  Lord  thy  Maker,  that  hath  stretched  forth 
the  heavens,  and  laid  the  foundations  of  the  earth,  and 
hath  feared  the  fury  of  the  oppressor,  as  if  he  were  ready 
to  destroy  ?     And  where  is  the  fury  of  the  oppressor  ?  " 

Are  wey  as  in  the  present  instance,  afflicted  for  Zion  ? 
Has  God  taken  from  us  a  venerated  father  of  the 
church  ?  One  who,  in  by-gone  years  fed  many  of  U3 
with  the  sincere  "  milk  of  the  word,"  and  as  we  were 
able,  has  fed  us  "  with  meat,"  who  has  taught  us  in 
knowledge  and  in  understanding. 

Is  there  reason  to  fear  that  since  his  departure, 
grievous  wolves  may  enter  in,  among  yon,  not  sparing 
the  flock,  that  even  of  your  own  selves  some  may  arise, 
speaking  perverse  things,  to  draw  away  disciples  after 
them  ?  Let  us  not  forget  "  Jesus  Christ,  the  same 
yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever."  And  by  faith  in  him, 
faith,  "  which  is  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  the 
evidence  of  things  not  seen  ; "  faith,  by  which  "  the 
elders  obtained  a  good  report;  "  faith,  by  which  "we 
imderstand  the  worlds  were  made  ; "  faith,  by  which 
*'  Abel  offered  unto  God  a  more  acceptable  sacrifice 
than  Cain ; "  let  us  commit  our  cause  to  him  whose 
influence  guided  our  fathers  in  the  organization  of  the 
church,  sustained  her  in  her  infancy,  defended  her  in 
her  trials,  and  has  promised  his  support  until  her  work 
is  done.  And  of  our  venerable  father,  let  us  remem- 
ber that,  like  Abel,  "he  being  dead,  yet  speaketh." 


A  FUNERAL  SERMON.-  309 

In  applying  this  subject,  I  propose  to  consider  its 
verification  in  the  case  of  Rev.  Finis  Ewing,  one  of  the 
founders  of  our  church,  -n'ho  taught,  as  instruction  is 
best  imparted. 

First,  By  Precept.  The  lessons  he  thus  incul- 
cated were  drawn  from  the  Bible  and  are  epitomized 
in  the  excellent  standard  of  our  church,  to  which 
we  have  subscribed  in  our  solemn  ordination.  Of 
these,  consider, 

1.   The  Holy  Sc^'iptures. 

Their  authenticity  is  manifest  from  their  wonderful 
preservation,  the  exact  fulfillment  of  the  prophecies  with 
which  they  abound,  the  stupendous  and  indisputable 
miracles  recorded  in  them,  the  grand  and  elevated 
subjects  on  which  they  treat,  and  especially  from  the 
moral  influence  of  their  doctrines  in  the  salvation  of  men. 

Their  necessity  is  obvious  from  the  fact,  that  although 
nature's  light  and  creation's  works,  together  with  the 
inscrutable  providence  of  the  world's  Sovereign,  may 
exhibit  to  some  extent,  the  divine  wisdom,  goodness,  and 
power,  yet  they  were  and  are  wholly  insufficient  to 
reveal  his  character,  to  proclaim  his  will,  and  to  prescribe 
the  manner  of  his  worship.  The  eternal  God,  therefore, 
hath  been  pleased  to  communicate  to  men,  all  that  is 
requisite  to  make  them  wise  unto  salvation,  and  by 
inspiration  through  them  to  give  us  a  revelation,  which, 
in  the  use  of  appropriate  means,  in  some  of  its  parts, 
will  meet  the  comprehension  of  every  rational  mind, 
superceding  the  necessity  of  another,  or  additional 
revelation ;  all  of  which,  is  to  be  received,  believed,  and 


310  A  FUNERAL  SERMON. 

obeyed,  because  God  hath  given  it.  It  is  moreover  to 
be  regarded  as  its  own  interpreter,  under  the  influence 
which  dictated  it.  It  is  the  only  infalhble  rule  of  faith 
and  practice,  and  attended  by  the  guidance  of  the  Holy- 
Spirit,  is  a  safe  directory  for  the  human  race,  "  from 
world  to  world,  and  from  life  to  life." 

2.  Of  Crod  and  the  Holy  Trinity. 

"  He,  who,  being  dead  yet  speaketh,"  delighted 
much  to  dwell  on  the  perfections  of  the  divine  char- 
acter, the  eternal  Sonship  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
the  unity  of  the  Holy  Ghost  with  the  Father  and  the 
Son,  three  persons  of  one  substance,  power  and  eternity. 

He  taught  the  manifest  truth,  "  There  is  one  only 
living  and  true  God,"  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable 
in  all  the  perfections  of  his  nature,  working  all  things 
according  to  his  own  will,  abundant  in  goodness  and 
truth,  forgiving  iniquity,  transgression,  and  sin,  yet 
most  justly  executing  his  judgments,  and  most  clearly 
evincing  that  he  will  in  no  wise  clear  the  guilty  :  One 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  channel  of  communication 
between  God  and  men,  the  only  medium  of  access  to  the 
throne  of  grace  ;  and  one  Holy  Spirit,  the  only  agent  by 
whom  a  sinner  can  be  brought  from  darkness  to  light, 
or  realize  a  qualification  for  the  enjoyment  of  heaven. 

3.  On  the  subject  of  decrees,  he  recognized  no  secrecy 
in  reference  to  human  salvation.  The  divine  decrees  are 
taught  in  language  not  to  be  misunderstood,  in  the  con- 
cise and  instructive  lesson  given  the  disciples,  when  the 
Author  of  our  salvation  commissioned  them  to  "  go  into 
all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature." 


A  FUNERAL  SERMON.  311 

The  first  decree  of  Almighty  God  concerns  the  character 
and  destiny  of  the  believer,  and  is  this,  "  He  that 
helieveth  and  is  baptized  shall  he  saved.'"  The  second 
and  last  concerns  the  character  and  destiny  of  the 
unbeliever,  and  is  thus  expressed,  "  He  that  helieveth 
not  shall  he  damned^  The  decrees  of  God,  therefore, 
as  they  are  taught  in  the  Bible,  secure  the  salvation  of 
the  behever,  and  the  damnation  of  the  finally  impenitent 
and  unbelieving. 

If  God  has  decreed  any  thing  more  he  has  not 
revealed  it,  and  what  he  has  not  revealed  concerning 
his  purpose,  we  do  not,  cannot,  know ;  and  those  whose 
credulity  leads  them  into  conjecture's  wide,  wild,  and 
endless  field,  are  liable  to  run  into  infidelity,  or  fatality, 
which  is  little  better,  on  the  one  hand,  or  into  universal- 
ism  on  the  other. 

4.  On  the  subject  of  God's  providence,  he  taught  the 
doctrine  of  a  general  superintendence  of  divine  provi- 
dence over  all  creatures,  and  a  special  interposition  of 
divine  wisdom,  goodness,  and  power  over  the  righteous  ; 
and  although  God  often  leaves  his  children  to  manifold 
temptations,  and  the  corruptions  of  their  own  hearts,  it 
is  to  chastise  them  for  former  sins,  to  discover  to  them 
the  hidden  corruption  and  deceitfulness  of  their  own 
hearts,  thereby  to  humble  them,  and  make  them  more 
vigilant  against  sin,  and  more  constant  and  confiding  in 
their  dependence  on  him.  While,  therefore,  "  the  eyes 
of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous,  and  his  ears  open  to 
their  cry,"  "  the  very  hairs  of  their  head  are  all  num- 
bered,"   and   they   "  are   of    more    value  than  many 


^ 
^ 


312  A  FUNERAL  SERMON. 

sparrows."  The  Lord  therefore  keepeth  them,  and  lest 
any  hurt  them,  he  will  keep  them  night  and  day. 

5.  In  reference  to  creation,  he  taught,  as  is  taught  in 
the  first  chapter  of  God's  revelation  to  the  world.  "  In 
the  beginning  God  created  the  heaven  and  the  earth." 

In  creating  all  things  else,  "  let  it  be,"  was  the 
command,  and,  "  there  was,"  was  the  result :  But  in 
man's  creation,  he  changed  his  manner,  "  let  us  make 
man,"  after  another  model,  "  let  us  make  man  in 
our  image  after  our  likeness,"  and  "  in  the  image  of  God 
created  he  him,  male  and  female  created  he  them,"  and 
stepping  forth  in  the  image  of  his  Creator,  man  found 
himself  the  youngest  child  of  the  universe ;  but  the 
darling  of  his  Father,  the  favorite  of  his  God,  Thus  closes 
the  chapter  of  the  world's  creation ;  and  man's  existence, 
and  man's  authority  are  the  topic  of  the  last  period. 

But  his  was  a  vast  dominion.  It  extended  over  all 
that  swims  in  the  water,  that  flies  in  the  air,  or  walks 
on  the  earth.  The  crown  placed  on  his  head  had 
attractions  which  angels  saw,  and  charms  that  angels 
felt.  With  the  smallest  reservation  in  favor  of  the 
absolute  Sovereign  of  the  universe,  he  had  subjected  to 
his  will  the  whole  earth,  from  Eden's  flowery  banks  to 
both  the  poles. 

Man,  thus  dignified  and  honored,  became  the  most 
enviable  object  in  all  the  vast  empire  of  the  universe. 
His  fortune  was  not  to  make,  'twas  only  to  keep.  But, 
alas  !  to  one  so  destitute  of  experience,  however  exalted, 
how  hard  to  guard,  how  difficult  to  retain  possessions 
thus   gratuitously  acquired.     The   prince   of  darkness 


A  FUNERAL  SERMON.  313 

meditated  his  ruin,  and  soon,  aje  too  soon,  the  sad  tale 
is  told. 

6.  Bj  his  machinations  he  fell,  and  by  that  act  entailed 
upon  himself  and  his  untold  posterity,  the  name,  and 
worse  than  that,  the  nature  of  sinners.  From  God  and 
Eden  he  is  once  cast  out,  and  involves  with  himself  the 
destinies  of  a  world.  That  noble  being  with  aspirations 
befitting  a  God,  rebels  against  his  Maker  and  exposes 
himself  and  his  unfortunate  race  to  the  miseries  of  this 
life,  the  wrath  of  God,  and  the  pains  of  hell  forever.    But, 

7.  Pursuant  to  the  covenant  of  grace  for  his  recovery, 
a  system  is  devised,  which  is  at  once  worthy  of  the 
world's  Sovereign  who  devised  it,  and  claims  the  admi- 
ration of  the  universe  that  may  realize  its  advantages. 
To  carry  out  this  system,  a  celestial  king  is  born.  Born 
to  reign,  the  King  of  kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.  God's 
equal  appeared  as  the  babe  of  Bethlehem,  the  eternal 
Son,  as  the  obedient  servant ;  the  mighty  God,  a  child 
born  ;  the  everlasting  Father,  as  a  son  given  ;  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  as  bearing  upon  his  shoulder,  the  government 
whose  increase  and  peace  shall  have  no  end,  a  government 
whose  principles  originated  in  heaven,  were  exemplified 
and  executed  by  the  Son  of  God,  are  attested  and  applied 
by  the  eternal  Spirit.  The  Lord  Jesus  Christ  became 
"  the  propitiation  for  our  sins  and  not  for  ours  only,  but 
also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  "  He  tasted  death 
for  every  man  "  and  hence  "  the  grace  of  God  which 
bringeth  salvation  hath  appeared  to  all  men,  teaching 
us,  that  denying  ungodUness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should 
live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly  in  this  present  world." 

27 


814  A    FUNERAL   SERMON. 

He  thus-  purchased  pardon  for  the  whole  human  race^ 
and  makes  the  tender  of  that  pardon  on  such  terms,  and 
under  such  circumstances,  that,  "  whosoever  will,  may 
take  the  water  of  life  freely  "  and  should  any  fail  of 
enjoying  the  advantages  of  Christ's  atonement,  it  is 
attributable  to  his  voluntary  rejection  of  it,  and  hence, 
the  Son  of  God  asserts,  "  Ye  will  not  come  to  me  that 
ye  might  have  life."  "  I  have  called,  and  ye  have 
refused."  I  have  tendered  life,  but  ye  have  preferred 
death.  I  have  oflfered  pardon,  but  ye  have  chosen  con- 
demnation. 

Free  will  and  effectual  calling  were  thus  taught  by 
him,  who,  "  being  dead,  yet  speaketh."  Every  call  to 
repentance  is  from  God,  every  man  is  the  subject  of 
that  call,  and  that  is  an  effectual  call,  which  in  the 
exercise  of  a  man's  volition,  is  yielded  to  and  obeyed ; 
moreover  such  yielding  obedience,  under  the  guidance 
of  the  Holy  Spirit  will  lead  the  anxious  penitent  to  the 
source  whence  justification  by  faith  may  be  obtained, 
adoption  by  grace  be  realized,  and  sanctification  through 
the  truth  and  spirit  of  our  God  be  attained.  Thus  too, 
that  saving  grace,  which  unites  to  Christ,  to  which  is 
connected  the  pardon  of  sin,  communion  with  God,  and 
the  blessedness  of  eternal  life,  is  secured  to  him  who 
casts  his  care  on  the  Son  of  God. 

The  subject  of  this  grace  now  recognizes  sin  in  its 
true  light,  and  hates  it  with  a  perfect  hatred.  Acting 
from  the  principle  of  grace  now,  newly  planted  in  his 
heart,  by  divine  influence,  he  loves  the  things  he  once 
hated,  and  hates  the  things  he  once  loved 


A    FUNERAL   SERMON.  315 

That  man  can  merit  the  divine  favor  and  forgiveness, 
by  his  good  works  or  virtues  is  an  old  error,  Avhich  has 
been  widely  spread,  and  frequently  presents  itself  in 
some  new  form,  however,  contradictory  of  that  reasonable 
declaration  of  the  son  of  God.  "  So  likewise  ye,  when 
ve  shall  have  all  those  things  which  are  commanded 
you,  say,  we  are  unprofitable  servants ;  we  have  done 
that  which  was  our  duty  to  do." 

He  who  works  for  hire,  receives  his  wages,  not  through 
grace  of  him  for  whom  he  labors,  but  from  the  obligation 
of  his  employer  to  recompense  him  ;  and  if  we  receive 
pardon  from  God,  (and  none  can  claim  it  from  another 
source)  then  our  works  can  contribute  nothing  to  its 
purchase,  they  are  in  no  way  whatever  the  meritorious 
ground  of  our  pardon.  And  hence  our  salvation  is  of 
grace  through  faith  "  in  Christ,  who  is  the  Saviour  of  all 
men,  especially  of  them  that  believe." 

To  this  sentiment  is  nearly  connected  the  doctrine  of 
adoption  ;  for,  "  to  as  many  as  believed,  to  them  gave 
he  power  to  become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  such  as 
believe  on  his  name."  Moreover,  the  subject  of  this 
renewing  influence,  being  made  a  new  creature  in  Christ 
Jesus,  is,  by  the  sanctifying  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
made  to  sustain  the  character  of  the  just,  whose  "  light 
shineth  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day."  His 
works  are  wrought  in  God,  and  may  be  regarded  as  the 
fruit  and  evidence  of  a  true  and  lively  faith,  he  may  be 
said  to  "  have  the  end,  everlasting  life."  And  yet,  none 
of  these,  has  he  of  himself,  but  wholly  from  the  Spirit  of 
God,  whose  influence  worketh  in  him  to  will  and  do  of 


816  A    rU3S'ERAL   SERMON. 

his  good  pleasure.  Not  depriving  him  of  his  agency, 
but  inclining  and  enabling  him  to  stir  up  the  grace  of 
God,  which  is  in  him,  and  comply  with  the  injunction, 
"  Occupy  till  I  come." 

Being  thus  united  to  Christ  who  is  the  head  of  the 
"  body,  the  Church,"  the  member  shall  not  die.  But  in 
keeping  with  Christ's  own  engagement,  "  because  I  hve, 
ye  shall  live  also,"  he  is  made  a  part  "  of  his  body, 
of  his  flesh  and  of  his  bones."  "  His  Hfe  is  hid  with  Christ 
in  God,"  and  "  when  Christ  who  is  our  life  shall  appear, 
then  shall  ye  also  appear  with  him  in  glory." 

These  are  some  of  the  topics  on  which  the  noble  soul 
of  our  deceased  Father  delighted  to  dwell.  Oh,  what 
pleasing  prospects  did  the  doctrine  of  the  saint's  final 
perseverance,  by  grace,  present  to  his  mind,  while  he 
contemplated,  as  many  of  us  have  known  him  to  do,  the 
abundant  and  rich  promises  of  "  God's  word,"  (a  favorite 
term  with  him  in  speaking  of  the  Bible)  securing  the 
blissful  blessedness  of  the  true  Christian. 

But,  he  taught  also, 

Second,  By  Example.  "  By  it,  he  being  dead,  yet 
speaketh," 

1.    In   a  Pious  Life. 

What  he  taught  to  be  every  man's  duty  to  God,  he 
endeavored  for  himself  most  faithfully  and  unflinchingly 
to  perform.  With  full  purpose  of  heart  therefore,  he 
repented  of  his  sins,  with  that  repentance  of  which  he 
never  had  cause  to  repent,  that  repentance  which  was 
unto  Hfe.  With  the  heart,  he  believed  unto  righteous- 
ness, in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  an  humble  pioua 


A    FUNERAL   SERMON.  817 

life,  exhibited,  that  his  faith  was  of  the  operation  of  God, 
an  active,  hvelj  principle,  which  worked  by  love,  purified 
the  heart,  and  overcame  the  world.  He  delighted  "  in 
the  law  of  the  Lord  after  the  inward  man."  By  a 
conduct  and  conversation  in  perfect  accordance  with  his 
profession,  he  adorned  the  doctrine  of  the  cross,  the 
cause  he  had  espoused,  and  commanded  the  respect  and 
veneration  of  all  who  knew  him. 

2.  In  an  ardent,  laborious  devotion  to  the  gospel  minis- 
try. Such  were  his  views  respecting  the  sacred  character 
of  this  holy  function,  that  as  he  firmly  believed,  he  faith- 
fully taught  that  "  no  man  taketh  this  honor  unto 
himself  but  he  that  is  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron,"  and 
nothing  but  an  inward  conviction  that  God  required  it 
at  his  hand,  and  a  multitude  of  external  testimony 
corroborating  therewith,  would  ever  have  induced  him 
to  enter  upon  the  solemnly  responsible  work.  It  was 
his  unshaken  belief,  and  has  always  been  the  sentiment 
of  our  church,  that  an  uncalled,  unsanctified  ministry 
IS  the  greatest  curse  that  could  be  sent  upon  the  church. 

To  prepare  for  this  highly  responsible  office,  was  no 
easy  task  with  him.  I  have  heard  it  from  his  o^^n 
mouth,  "  my  nights  have  shared  the  labors  and  anxieties 
of  my  days,  to  acquire  what  qualifications  I  have 
attained,  preparatory  to  the  gospel  ministry."  When 
he  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  as  a  probationer, 
it  was,  on  the  part  of  the  Presbytery  that  licensed  him, 
and  so  of  the  one  that  ordained  him,  under  the  tacit 
acknowledgment,  at  least,  of  his  competency ;  and  his 
success  in  the  harvest  of  1800  attested  that  the  great 


818  A  FUNEIIAL  SERMON. 

Head  of  the  Church  sealed  his  authority  to  bear  the 
messao'e  of  salvation  to  thousands  that  heard  him, 
and  to  many  that  were  joyfully  converted  through  his 
instrumentality. 

lie  was  not  one  of  those  ministers  who  served  God 
and  the  church  with  that  which  cost  him  nothing,  but 
as  he  labored  to  qualify  himself  for  the  work,  so  he 
"  studied  to  make  himself  approved  unto  God,  a  work- 
man that  needed  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the 
word  of  truth." 

His  labors  were  not  entirely  confined  to  any  one  con- 
gregation. He  preached  as  much  in  the  grove,  or  in 
the  forest,  as  in  the  splendid  edifice,  and  was  as  faithful 
in  declaring  the  council  of  God  in  the  thatch-covered 
barn,  as  in  the  velvet-cushioned  pulpit  of  the  city  church. 

In  this  laborious  ministerial  toil  he  assisted  in  found- 
ing the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he 
took  no  inactive  part.  Whom  the  Spirit  of  God  moved 
to  lead  in  that  important  step,  perhaps  is  not  known  ; 
but  from  personal  acquaintance  with  the  actors  and 
circumstances,  it  is  not  improbable  that,  if  one  was  more 
active  than  another,  he  lead  the  van. 

Pie  was  a  man  of  liberal  sentiment  and  feeling,  and 
far  less  ostentatious  than  most  men  would  have  been, 
under  the  same  circumstances. 

His  assiduity  in  prayer,  reading  the  scriptures,  and 
examining  the  works  and  writings  of  other  men,  eminently 
qualified  him  to  fill  the  place  to  which  God  in  his  provi- 
dence had  called  him.  "While,  in  his  opinions  on  man  / 
subjects,  he  differed  from  many  religionists,  he  never- 


A  FUNERAL  SERMON.  819 

fheless  had  charity  to  believe  they  -were  as  honest 
und  candid  as  himself,  and  therefore  he  was  always 
ready  to  extend  the  hand  of  fellowship  to  all  who 
embraced  the  essential  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and 
practiced  its  holy  precepts. 

On  the  subject  of  Christian  liberty,  and  liberty  of 
conscience,  he  was  no  latitudinarian,  but  a  philanthropic 
Christian.  He  venerated  religious  worsliip  by  whom- 
soever performed  in  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  and  his 
regard  for  the  holy  Sabbath  induced  him  to  spend  that 
sanctified  portion  of  his  precious  time,  peculiarly  to  the 
service  of  Almighty  God.  The  unity  and  spirituality 
of  the  Christian  church  were  subjects  that  occupied 
much  of  his  thoughts  and  eflforts,  and  imparted  to  his 
soul  much  delight.  He  recognized  the  church  of  -God, 
as  one  which,  though  composed  of  many  members,  yet 
constituted  one  body  in  Christ,  and  of  that  body  Christ 
is  the  head. 

But  to  his  bereaved  family,  a  large  circle  of  friends, 
many  of  whom  were  relatives,  and  especially  to  a  beloved 
church,  for  whom  he  had,  perhaps,  felt  more  than  any 
other  one  man.     "  He  being  dead  yet  speaketh," 

3.    In  a  most  triumphant  deatJu 

Leaning  on  the  promises  of  a  kind  and  indulgent 
Father,  whose  grace  had  sustained  him  to  a  good  old 
age,  through  whose  tender  mercy  the  infant  church  he 
had  assisted  to  organize,  had  grown  and  strengthened 
until  she  was  fully  prepared  to  maintain  her  position 
among  the  Christian  denominations  of  the  New  World, 
he  oould  calmly  resign  his  family  to  God,  his  friends 


320  A  FUNERAL  SEKMON. 

to  the  guidance  of  his  grace,  his  church  to  the  glorious 
Head,  his  body  to  the  earth  as  it  was,  and  his  spirit 
to  him  who  gave  it.  And  in  view  of  his  past  labors 
and  the  scene  which  was  now  about  to  close  them,  he 
exclaimed,  "  T/it;  gospel  I  have  preached  is  now  the 
sheet  anchor  to  my  soul.^' 

As  the  Church  of  God  on  earth  and  in  heaven  is 
one,  and  all  true  Christians  here  are  members  of  it, 
there  are  no  exclusive  privileges  secured  to  any,  but 
all  have  an  equal  right  to  all ;  and  those  who  deny 
such  privileges  to  any,  assume  an  authority  above  that 
which  is  written,  and  for  such  assumption  be  their's  the 
account.  "  For  we  must  all  appear  before  the  Judg- 
ment seat  of  Christ,  that  every  one  may  receive  the 
things  done  in  his  body,  according  to  that  he  hath 
done,  whether  it  be  good  or  bad." 

How  sublime,  how  transporting,  and  yet  how  awful 
will  be  the  scenes  of  that  solemn  day.  The  assembled 
universe  shall  stand  before  the  "Judge  of  quick  and 
dead."  The  penetrating  eye  of  omniscience  will 
scrutinize  the  characters  and  conduct  of  each,  and  all 
the  deeds  of  darkness  shall  come  to  the  light,  nor 
words,  nor  even  thoughts  remain  concealed.  Who  will 
then  wish  to  review  his  thoughts,  desire  to  approve  his 
words,  or  dare  to  justify  his  deeds  ? 

Will  we  contemplate  for  a  moment  this  thrilling 
scene,  so  nearly  connected  with  the  world's  destiny, 
and  inquire,  who  presides  in  this  decisive  trial  ?  It 
is  he  "  whom  God  hath  ordained,  whereof  he  hath 
giveii  assurance  unto  all  men,  in  that  he  hath  raided 


A   FUNERAL   SERMON.  321 

him  from  the  dead."  It  is  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
declared  to  be  God  and  man,  "  Emmanuel,"  "  God 
with  us."  "  For  the  Father  judgeth  no  man  but  hath 
committed  all  judgment  unto  the  Son."  In  the  Reve- 
lations of  St.  John  the  Divine,  are  delineated  the  terrible 
splendor  and  awful  realities  of  the  last  day. 

The  Judge  is  seated  upon  a  "  throne,"  which  may 
denote  that  his  decisions,  sanctioned  by  the  King  of 
kings,  will  be  final  and  irrevocable.  Nor  is  it  without 
design  that  the  throne  is  represented  as  "  white,"  seeing 
it  will  exceed  the  meridian  sun  in  brightness,  and  never 
be  sullied  by  the  smallest  instance  of  partiality  or 
injustice.  It  is  further  represented  that  "  the  earth 
and  heavens  shall  flee  from  before  his  face,  and  no 
place  be  found  for  them."  What  an  awful  sense  of  his 
majesty  and  glory  is  here  impressed  upon  the  mind ! 
This  guilty  globe  was  once  the  place  of  his  abode,  till 
its  impious  inhabitants,  with  one  consent,  and  with 
wicked  hands,  put  him  to  death.  But  in  that  day,  as 
though  earth  were  conscious  of  its  own  desert,  it  will 
flee  from  his  presence,  nor  will  any  place  be  found  for 
such  a  theatre  of  sin  to  exist  any  longer  in  so  polluted 
a  state ;  it  shall  even  "  be  burned  up,  and  the  heavens 
shall  pass  away  with  a  great  noise."  The  persons 
to  be  judged  shall  embrace  the  whole  human  race. 
Millions  at  the  deluge,  and  since  that  time,  for  varied 
purposes,  have  traversed  the  mighty  deep,  and  found 
their  graves  in  the  ocean's  bosom ;  but  at  the  last  day, 
"  the  sea  shall  give  them  up."  Death  shall  surrender 
the  bodies  that  have  long  since   mouldei-ed,  and   the 


822  A   FUNERAL    SERMON. 

invisible  vrorld  shall  deliver  up  the  souls  that  have 
long  abode  in  bliss  or  woe.  All  who  have  ever  lived 
upon  the  earth,  '•  great  and  small,"  shall  stand  before 
the  tribunal  of  the  great  Judge.  Every  one  shall 
appear  in  his  own  proper  body  nor  shall  any  be  able  to 
withstand  the  summons,  or  to  elude  the  search.  The 
king  and  the  beggar,  the  master  and  the  servant,  the 
parent  and  the  cliild,  the  minister  and  the  layman,  shall 
be  no  otherwise  distinguished  than  as  they  shall  be 
classed  with  the  righteous  or  the  wicked. 

"  The  books  shall  then  be  opened,"  and  these  shall 
serve  as  grounds  of  God's  procedure.  The  book  of 
God's  law  originally  inscribed  on  the  hearts  of  our  first 
parents,  and  still  not  wholly  effaced  from  heathen  minds, 
will  be  the  rule  of  judgment  for  those  who  never  saw 
the  light  of  revelation.  The  book  of  the  gospel,  wherein 
are  unfolded  the  mysteries  of  redemption,  will  be  the 
touchstone  by  which  our  faith  and  practice  shall  be  tried. 
The  book  of  conscience,  too,  which  now  omits  many 
things,  or  misrepresents  them,  will  then  give  a  fairer 
testimony  :  for  it  will  then  be  a  perfect  transcript  of  an 
unerring  book  that  shall  then  be  opened,  (viz :)  the 
book  of  God's  remembrance.  In  this,  shall  every 
action,  word,  and  thought  be  found  faithfully  recorded, 
and  all  our  purposes,  desires  and  motives  shall  have  an 
influence  on  his  decision,  to  eniiance  our  happiness  or 
augment  our  wretchedness. 

But  there  is  another  book  particularly  mentioned  in 
ihe  word  of  truth,  which  shall  also  be  before  this  Judge. 
It  is  the  book  of  life,  wherein  will  be  found  the  namea 


A  FUNERAL  SERMON.  823 

of  all  the  saints  of  the  Most  High  God.  "  And  whoso- 
ever was  not  found  within  the  book  of  life,"  shall  be 
"  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire." 

The  execution  of  the  sentence  which  the  Judge  shall 
pronounce  will  then  fill  the  saints  with  joy,  and  sinners 
with  terror.  And  what  account,  my  brethren,  shall  we 
render  in  that  great  and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord  ? 
Are  we  overseers  over  the  flock  of  God  ?  It  is  by  his 
own  appointment.  Will  we  then  be  ready  to  make 
settlement  ?  Are  we  stewards  ?  "•  It  is  required  in 
stewards  that  a  man  be  found  faithful."  Are  we  such 
now  ?  Will  we  be  found  such  then  ?  Are  we  such 
men  as  might  be  expected  in  the  ministry  of  the  Chris- 
tian church  in  the  midst  of  the  nineteenth  century  ? 
When  the  light  of  life  has  shined  with  so  much 
brilliancy,  and  the  Sun  of  righteousness  has  arisen  so 
nigh  the  zenith  of  his  glory,  where  the  spirit  of  the 
gospel  is  rousing  to  action  the  slumbering  energies  of 
the  Christian  world  ?  When  the  light  of  truth  is 
wending  its  way  to  the  darkest  dens  of  ignorance  and 
emiting  its  cheering  rays  into  the  cheerless  caverns  of 
blinded  heathenism  ?  Is  the  object  of  our  study,  the 
purpose  of  our  toil,  the  glory  of  God  in  men's  salva- 
tion ?  Do  we  labor  for  this,  as  those  whose  sun 
will  soon  go  down,  as  those  who  must  soon  give  account 
to  God  ? 

My  brethren,  the  work  is  before  us.  "  The  field  '13 
the  world."  The  present  is  the  seed  time,  the  harvest 
is  not  distant.  May  we  all  in  the  end  hear  the  welcome 
plaudit,  "  Well  done  good  and  faithful  servant,  thou 


324  A  FUNERAL  SERMON. 

hasfc  been  faithful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee 
ruler  over  many  things."  May  "  the  gospel  we  have 
preached "  be  in  death,  "  the  sheet  anchor  to  our 
souls,"  and  may  we  rest  with  the  faithful  in  the  bosom 
of  God. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

REMARKS  ON  DAVIDSON'S  HISTORY  OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH  IN  KENTUCKY  : 

OR, 

A  REVIEW  OF  HIS  CHAPTERS  ON  THE  REVIVAL  OF  1800, 
ITS  EXTRAVAGANCES  AND  DISORDERS,  AND  HIS  HISTORY 
OF  THE  CUMBERLAND  PRESBYTERIANS. 

The  heart  in  -which  grace  reigns  triumphantly,  will 
be  disposed  to  award  justice  as  well  to  enemies  as  to 
friends.  But  where  grace  is  wanting,  or  party  spirit  is 
in  the  ascendant,  justice  is  sometimes  less  regarded  than 
expediency.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  good  men,  under 
the  influence  of  sectarian  zeal  or  bigotry,  can  compre- 
hend with  an  eagle's  glance  whatever  favors  their  own 
cause,  but  lose  sight  of  much  which  may  go  to  sustain 
the  cause  they  would  oppose.  The  validity  of  Mr. 
Ewing's  licensure  and  ordination  has  been  questioned 
and  impugned,  by  a  class  of  men  who  ought  to  have 
been  better  informed  with  regard  to  the  true  spirit, 
genius,  and  usages  of  Christianity  and  Presbyterianism. 
It  is  certain,  that  no  ecclesiastical  censure  or  prohibition, 
unless  it  be  according  to  truth  and  righteousness,  can 
be  of  any  force  whatever.  This  being  admitted,  the 
ordination  of  Mr.  Ewing  and  others  may  be  triumphantly 


326  REMARKS    ON 

vindicated.  The  task  of  exposing  the  errors  of  men, 
standing  high  in  their  own  church,  and  some  of  them 
esteemed  generally  for  their  works'  sake,  is  never  to  be 
coveted,  nor  engaged  in,  without  manifest  necessity  ; 
in  justice  to  the  subject  of  this  biography,  however,  it 
cannot  now  be  avoided. 

The  revival  of  1800,  the  organization  and  progress 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  would  seem  to 
have  aiforded  a  fruitful  theme  for  the  display  of  logic 
and  learning,  by  certain  Presbyterian  writers  of  the 
Old  School.  In  the  meantime,  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terians have  been  too  busy  in  promoting  the  revival  and 
combating  infidels  and  errorists,  to  pay  much  attention 
to  attacks  from  that  quarter.  Under  the  influence  of 
great  filial  reverence,  and  not  without  a  mixture  of 
family  pride,  they  have  chosen  to  put  forth  their  strength 
and  employ  their  efforts  against  the  common  enemy,  by 
every  where  proclaiming  God's  word,  rather  than  return 
the  blows  inflicted  by  an  inexorable  mother.  But  these 
blows,  incessantly  repeated,  are  becoming  more  and 
more  violent ;  and  each  succeeding  combataat,  arming 
himself  with  the  Aveapons  of  those  who  have  preceded 
him,  in  addition  to  his  own,  comes  forth,  anticipating, 
perhaps,  the  greenest  laurel  and  the  easiest  triumph 
over  those  who  refused  to  die,  outright,  at  the  biddin"- 
of  overstrained  authority. 

The  last  assailant  appears  in  a  "  History  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  State  of  Kentucky,  by  Rev. 
Robert  Davidson,  D.D.,  author  of  an  '  Excursion  to  the 
Mammoth  Cave,'  and  '  Notice  of  the  Early  Settlement 


Davidson's  history.  827 

of  Kentucky  ; '  late  President  of  Transylvania  Univer- 
sity ;  Corresponding  member  of  the  Kentucky  Historical 
Society  ;  Honorary  member  of  the  New  York  Historical 
Society ;  Honorary  member  of  the  National  Institute, 
etc."  All  these  literary  achievements  and  honorary 
appendages  are  displayed,  in  capitals,  on  the  title  page 
of  the  work,  which,  in  the  main,  is  indeed  scholar-like 
and  excellent.  This,  therefore,  is  a  writer  worthy  of 
some  notice  ;  and  since  he  discourses  like  a  man  of 
candor,  who  thinks  himself  in  the  right,  he  shall  have  it. 

This  author  has  devoted  about  a  hundred  pages  of  his 
book  to  "  the  revival  of  1800,"  its  "  extravagances  and 
disorders,"  and  what  he  is  pleased  to  call  "  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Schism  ;  "  also  a  liberal  portion  to  the 
"  New  School  Schism."  We  shall  leave  him,  as  a  writer 
of  church  history,  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  the  laurels 
he  may  have  won  —  at  any  rate,  until  the  historians  of 
the  two  "  schisms  "  shall  undertake  their  inspection  and 
adjustment  —  but  should  justice  to  the  subject  of  this 
biography  require  the  plucking  away  of  a  few  sprigs 
which  may  have  been  surreptitiously  entwined  in  the 
chaplet,  none  can  take  it  amiss. 

Neither  the  historian  nor  the  biographer  manufactures 
his  materials ;  but  each  has  the  right  to  use  all  those 
which  actually  exist.  Neither  can  be  made  accountable 
for  the  facts  themselves,  but  each  is  responsible  for  the 
use  he  makes  of  them,  whether  in  his  reasonings  or  his 
inferences.  The  statement  of  some  facts  is  pleasant, 
of  others,  painful.  A  candid  writer  will  be  inclined  to 
touch  upon  the  former  with  joy  and  satisfaction,  the 


328  REMARKS    ON 

latter  with  delicacy  and  tenderness.  And  it  is  possible 
for  a  writer  to  be  misled  to  the  admittance  of  fictions 
for  facts ;  and  in  that  case  any  inferences  deduced 
therefrom  amount  to  nothing  more  than  figments. 
This  much  is  necessary  to  be  said  by  way  of  apology 
for  the  historian  in  question.  He  ha^  derived  a  great 
part  of  his  materials  from  the  writers  who  preceded 
him,  some  of  whom  wrote  under  the  influence  of 
prejudice  and  excitement ;  others  with  too  little  know- 
ledge of  the  principles  by  which  the  Presbyterian 
church  has,  from  the  beginning,  sought  to  be  governed. 
The  favorite  object  and  great  effort  of  these  writers 
would  appear  to  have  been  to  lead  the  world  to  believe 
that  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church  is  disorderly, 
and  her  ministers  unconstitutionally  ordained.  This 
being  their  object,  some  of  them  have  manifested  a 
willingness  to  sacrifice  any  man,  or  stain  the  character 
of  any  minister  —  even  though  he  belonged  to  their  own 
church — who  may  have  stood  in  the  way  of  its  accom- 
plishment. Hence  charity  is  not  unprovided  with  some 
apology  for  Dr.  Davidson,  who,  relying  on  the  materials 
furnished  to  his  hand,  and  reasoning  therefrom  with  his 
usual  ingenuity,  has  arrived  at  conclusions  equally 
unsound,  and  aided  in  objects  equally  unworthy.  And 
though  the  remarks  which  follow  will  be  directed  to  his 
History,  without  any  special  reference  to  his  prede- 
cessors, it  is  not  because  he  is  to  be  regarded  as 
equally  blame-worthy,  but  because  he  has  embodied 
all  their  materials  in  a  more  imposing  form  than  their 
ingenuity  could  sufiice  to  do :  in  short,  because  he  is 


Davidson's  history.  829 

'  the  latest,  best,  and  most  attractive  writer  among  them. 
But  how  is  the  favorite  object  of  these  writers,  which 
this  historian  has  taken  much  pains  to  advance,  to  be 
successfully  accomplished  ?  How  is  the  thing  to  be 
done  ?  Or  since  the  deed,  when  done,  is  calculated  to 
impair  the  usefulness  of  a  large  body  of  professing 
Christians,  how  is  it  to  be  perpetrated  ?  How  is  the 
world  to  be  instructed  that  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church  is  disorderly,  and  her  ministers  unconstitutionally 
ordained  ?  The  historian  in  question,  under  the  guidance 
of  his  froward  predecessors,  has  thought  proper  to 
resort  to  four  methods,  which  may  be  condensed  from 
his  work  as  follows  : 

I.  By  his  strictures  on  the  official  acts  of  some 
members  of  Transylvania  Presbytery,  who  afterwards 
became  the  majority  of  the  old  Cumberland  Presbytery 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  in  regard  to  their  bringing 
into  the  ministry  certain  young  men,  of  whom  Mr. 
Ewing  was  the  most  conspicuous. 

II.  By  his  sketches  of  certain  characters,  including 
some  of  those  who  became  the  founders  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  church,  of  whom  Mr.  Ewing  was  the 
most  prominent  and  active. 

III.  By  his  representations  of  the  doctrines  of  the 
latter  class  of  men. 

IV.  By  his  unqualified  censures  of  the  revival  of 
1800,  which  gave  birth  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
church,  confounding  the  true  friends  and  promoters  of 
that  glorious  work  with  the  Stoneites,  or  New  Lights, 
the  abettors  of  acknowledged  heresy. 

28 


880  REMARKS    ON    DAVIDSON'S   HISTORY. 

Justice  to  the  subject  of  this  biography  will  require 
some  attention  to  these  four  methods  of  defamation, 
■which  will  be  given  in  succeeding  chapters :  other 
reprehensible  matters  belong  more  properly  to  the 
ecclesiastical  historian. 


CHAPTER    XXVi. 
•REVIEW      OF      DAVIDSON. 

HU  strictures  on  the  official  acts  of  some  members  of  Transylvania  Presbytery, 
who  afterwards  became  the  majority  of  the  old  Cumberland  Presbytery  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  regard  to  their  bringing  into  the  ministry  certain 
young  men,  of  whom  Mr.  Ewing  was  the  most  conspicuous. 

In  the  first  place  it  may  be  proper  to  notice  two 
very  severe  strictures,  on  the  official  acts  of  the  evan- 
gelical members  of  Transylvania  Presbytery :  First  on 
the  subject  of  the  places  which  the  Presbytery  selected 
for  meeting ;  and  second  on  "  the  clashing  of  the  appoint- 
ments of  the  Presbytery  and  the  Synod."  On  these 
two  subjects  the  historian  tells  us,  in  a  note  on  page 
225,  "  it  is  observable  that  Mr.  Smith  is  silent :  " 
evidently  intending  to  make  the  impression,  that  he  was 
prudently  so,  or  that  an  obvious  wrong  in  both  cases 
induced  him  to  pass  them  in  utter  silence.  On  a  fair 
investigation  of  the  true  state  of  the  facts,  it  is  highly 
probable  that  the  historian  may  wish  he  too  had  been 
silent  or  had  exercised  more  caution,  respecting  them. 

1.  With  regard  to  the  places  of  meeting,  he  has 
thought  proper  to  enlighten  the  public  in  the  following 
strain. 

"The  lower  members*  now  had  every  thing  under 

•  By  which  is  meant  those  whom  we  style  the  evangelical  members,  afterwards 
«oii8tituting  tiM  majority  of  Cumberland  Presbytery. 


332  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

their  own  control.  With  the  exception  of  a  called 
meeting  to  ordain  Mr.  Robertson,  at  New  Providence, 
they  had  not  permitted  a  single  meeting  out  of  their  own 
bounds  for  the  space  of  a  year ;  and  it  was  with  a  view, 
no  doubt,  to  the  maintenance  of  their  ascendency  that 
the  last  adjournment  had  been  made  to  a  spot  still  farther 
to  the  south-west.  The  great  body  of  the  Presbytery 
being  so  far  removed  from  the  seat  of  operations,  found 
it  extremely  inconvenient  to  attend."  * 

This  is  a  grave  charge.  It  amounts  to  no  less  than 
base  treachery  against  God  and  their  eo-presbyters, 
with  the  criminal  motive  of  selfish  aggrandizement :  an 
appointment  to  transact  business  for  eternity,  "  with  a 
view  to  their  own  ascendancy  !  "  This  charge,  if  true, 
would  stamp  the  memory  of  those  ministers  with  indelible 
infamy.  "  Tell  it  not  in  Gath,  publish  it  not  in  the 
streets  of  Askelon,"  that  Pre&byterian  ministers,  of  any 
school,  have  been  guilty  of  this  shameless  fraud,  this  self- 
seeking  hypocrisy  I  And  yet  these  men  were  in  their 
day  the  acknowledged  instruments,  under  God,  of  the 
conversion  of  thousands.  Their  praise  was  in  all  the 
churches,  which  were  watered  by  their  self-sacrificing 
labors.  Their  memory  is  still  precious  to  all  who  know 
their  true  history,  except  worldlings  who  shun  the  light 
which  reproves  them,  a  few  infidels  who  love  not  the 
truth,  and  some  old  Presbyterians  at  the  west  who 
opposed  the  revival,  wherein  God  was  pleased  to  honor 
their  instrumentality.  "We  might  expect  no  historian 
ever  to  hazard  so  foul  a  charge  against  such  men,  without 

•DaTidson,  pagp  226 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON,  333 

the  fullest,  most  indubitable  evidence  of  its  truth.  And 
in  giving  publicity  to  a  charge  so  startling,  the  whole 
proof,  relied  on  for  sustaining  it,  may  be  expected  to 
accompany  it.  What  is  the  nature  and  amount  of  this 
astounding  proof  ?  Without  remembering  the  propriety 
of  appointing  the  meetings  of  Presbytery  where  the 
revival  was  prevailing  —  without  considering  the  difficulty 
of  only  j&ve  votes  controlling  more  than  twice  their 
number  —  the  learned  historian  accuses  ministers,  of  his 
own  communion,  of  a  scandalous  crime,  imputes  to  them  a 
base  motive,  and  his  accompanying  proof  is  neither  more 
nor  less  than  his  own  "wo  douht.''^  This  is  all.  On 
this  the  reader  must  rely,  or  repudiate  the  charge  as 
groundless.  Party  spirit  may  take  up  a  mere  vague 
suspicion,  and  by  bandying  it  about  for  a  while  within  a 
certain  circle,  exalt  it  into  a  fancied  certainty.  But 
then  it  ought  not  to  be  supposed  that  those  without  that 
circle  and  its  peculiar  influences,  can  admit  suspicion 
for  proof,  accusation  for  certainty,  or  "  no  doubt "  for 
satisfactory  evidence.     "  Credat  Judceiis  Apella.^'' 

2.  With  regard  to  the  clashing  of  the  appointments 
of  the  Presbytery  and  the  Synod,  the  historian  has 
deemed  it  necessary  to  quicken  the  perception  of  Christen- 
dom in  this  way  :  — 

"  There  is  another  circumstance  to  be  taken  into 
view,  and  not  even  charity  can  vindicate  it,  except  on 
the  score  of  an  ignorance  itself  culpable.  The  day  to 
which  they  had  adjourned,  was  but  about  a  week  previous 
to  that  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  for  so 
important  an  occasion  as  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod 


884  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

of  Kentucky,  at  Lexington,  nearly  two  hundred  miles 
distant."  * 

Is  the  "  circumstance "  an  abomination  so  utterly 
vile,  that  "  not  even  charity  can  vindicate  it,  except  on 
the  score  of  an  ignorance  itself  culpable  f  "  Indeed  ! 
"  Charity  is  not  easily  provoked,  thinketh  no  evil," 
&c.t  And  there  is  something  said  about  becoming  "  as 
Bounding  brass,  or  a  tinkling  cymbal,"  which  would  not  be 
consistent  with  the  dignity  of  an  ecclesiastical  historian, 
especially  when  speaking  of  ministers  of  his  own  denomi- 
nation. "  And  above  all  things,  have  fervent  charity 
among  yourselves :  for  charity  shall  cover  the  multitude 
of  sins."  $  Has  it  come  to  this,  that  confessedly  good 
men,  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  of  faith  —  who  were, 
in  the  spirit  and  power  of  evangelism,  so  far  in  advance 
of  the  ministers  of  their  own  church,  that  in  the  judg- 
ment of  the  latter  even  charity  itself  cannot  vindicate 
their  solemn  official  acts  —  must  find  their  defenders 
among  those  of  another  denomination  ?  Be  it  so.  The 
writer  of  this  biography  will  endeavor  to  award  justice 
to  whomsoever  it  may  be  due. 

There  certainly  was  a  clashing  of  the  appointments 
of  the  Presbytery  and  the  Synod.  But  the  question  is, 
who  caused  this  clashing  ?  If  it  can  be  shown  that  the 
meeting  of  the  Presbytery  was  appointed  before  that 
of  the  Synod  could  jjossibly  be  known,  the  act  of  the 
former  craves  not  charity,  but  demands  justice,  for  its 
vindication.  Now,  according  to  the  statements  of  the 
historian  himself,  the  Presbytery  met  April  13th,  1802, 

•  Dav.,  p.  226.  1 1  Cor.  xiii,  6.  1 1  Peter  It,  8. 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  835 

and  after  a  few  days  adjourned,  appointing  its  next 
meeting,  October  5th,  1802.  It  so  happened  that  the 
General  Assembly,  in  the  latter  part  of  May,  of  the 
same  year,  appointed  the  first  meeting  of  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky,  about  one  week  subsequent  to  the  Presby- 
tery's meeting.  It  turns  out  on  investigation,  that  the 
appointment  for  the  meeting  of  the  Presbytery  was 
made  more  than  a  month  before  anj  appointment  was 
made  for  the  meeting  of  the  Synod.  The  Presbytery 
•was  not  gifted  with  prescience,  and  consequently  could 
not  foresee,  that  another  body,  to  meet  hundreds  of 
miles  distant,  would,  in  the  month  succeeding,  make  an 
appointment  for  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky, 
clashing  with  their  own.  In  the  view  of  all,  therefore, 
who  respect  truth  and  justice,  this  act  of  these  ministers 
■will  be  triumphantly  vindicated.  But  then  the  materials 
on  -which  the  historian  relied  for  his  statements,  may 
be  a  little  more  closely  scrutinized ;  and  it  is  pre- 
sumable, that  he  will  not  only  retract  both  of  these 
charges,  but  make  other  corrections  in  a  future  edition 
of  his  work. 

The  historian  implies  a  censure  on  these  ministers 
for  cordially  receiving  "  James  Hawe,  a  republican 
Methodist  preacher,  and  a  violent  denouncer  of  Presby- 
terianism,  both  from  the  pulpit  and  the  press."  He 
more  than  insinuates  that  this  was  done  without  any 
proof  of  his  worth  or  soundness  in  the  faith.  For  he 
says  in  so  many  words,  *'  there  is  no  evidence  of  his 
examination  or  recantation."  *  This  is  one  way  of  making 

•Davidson's  History,  page  228. 


836  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

an  impression ;  but  it  is  quite  as  justifiable  as  that  of  a 
committee  of  Synod,  in  1805,  who  say,  "  we  have  never 
heard  of  Mr.  Hawe's  recanting,  &c."*  There  is  no 
evidence  !  And  we  have  never  heard  !  Why  ?  Doubt- 
less, because  the  record  of  the  circumstance  does  not 
appear  on  the  minutes.  The  voluntary  application  and 
cordial  reception  of  so  noted  a  character,  and  violent 
denouncer  of  Presbyterianism  ought  to  be  sufficient 
evidence  of  his  recantation,  though  the  Clerk  may  have 
failed  to  record  it.  But  there  is  additional  evidence. 
Not  one  or  more  members  of  the  Transylvania  Pres- 
bytery, in  which  the  evangelical  party  was  greatly 
outnumbered,  entered  a  dissent  or  complaint ;  nor  did 
party  spirit  rise  sufficiently  high  to  bring  the  aflfair 
before  the  Synod,  until  about  three  years  after  Mr. 
Hawe's  reception.  Could  this  have  possibly  happened, 
among  so  many  guardians  of  orthodoxy,  if  there  had 
been  actually  no  recantation  nor  examination  ?  No  man 
in  his  senses,  acquainted  with  Presbyterian  usages,  can 
possibly  believe  it.  f 

But  Mr.  Hawe  was  admitted  to  membership  and  to 

*  Smith's  History,  page  599. 

t  There  is  very  strong  presumptive  evidence  for  the  belief  that 
Mr.  Hawe,  after  examination  either  by  the  Presbytery  or  a  committee 
did  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith.  Perhaps,  as  was  usual  in  that 
and  the  Presbytery  in  North  Carolina,  his  conscientious  scruples 
were  sufficiently  respected  to  allow  him  to  make  the  exception  of 
fatality.  The  circumstance  of  there  being  no  record  of  the  fact  is 
no  evidence  against  it.  It  was  not  usual  to  record  every  circum- 
stance, neither  was  it  necessary  to  record  this.  Hawe's  reception  by 
Transylvania  Presbytery  ought  to  have  been  sufficient  evidence  of  his 
examination  and  recantation  to  all  acquainted  with  the  men  and 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  837 

the  ministerial  office  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  whether 
with  or  without  examination  and  recantation,  is  of  little 
moment  to  the  writer.  The  important  question  is,  bj 
uhat  Presbvtery  was  he  received  ?  The  historian 
aJraits  that  he  was  received  by  the  Transylvania  and 
not  by  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  and  quotes  the 
minutes  of  the  former  body  in  evidence  of  the  fact. 
But  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  by  a  blunder  almost  too 
absurd  for  belief,  made  this  reeeptioa  of  Mr.  Hawe  one 
of  the  grounds  of  their  unjust  and  unconstitutional 
proceedings  against  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  which 
finally  led  to  the  sepai-ation  ;  thus  imposing  upon  their 
apologists  the  very  unenviable  necessity  of  making  as 
plausible  a  justification  for  the  Synod  as  the  awkward 
circumstances  will  admit.  It  is  a  hard  necessity :  so 
all  appear  to  feel  who  have  attempted  it.  It  is  no  easy 
task  to  hold  one  Presbytery  responsible  for  another's 
acts,  committed  years  before  ;  and  they  who  undertake 
it  may  receive  the  recompense  of  a  party's  good  will ; 
but  the  rest  of  mankind  will  award  a  different  sentiment. 
It  is  difficult  to  say,  whether  surprise  or  amusement  will 

Presbyterian  usage.  In  April,  1802,  Rev.  Jeremiah  Abel,  of  the 
Republican  Methodist  Society,  was  also  received  by  Transylvania 
Presbytery.  And  still  Dr.  Davidson  acknowledges,  it  is  not  stated 
wiiether  he  adopted  the  Confession  of  Faith  or  not ;  page  225.  That 
he  did  so,  there  can  be  little  doubt ;  since  Dr.  Bishop,  in  his  memoir, 
page  106,  speaks  of  Rev.  Mr.  Abel,  as  the  much  esteemed  friend  of 
Dr.  Rice,  who  was  with  that  venerable  patriarch  in  his  dying 
moments.  In  both  cases  nothing  is  stated  about  the  adoption  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith.  Why  then  was  there  no  clamor  about  Abel's 
case  ?  The  secret  is  out,  when  it  is  told  that  Abel  was  not  associated 
with  the  revival  party.       ,-,q 


838  REVIEW    OF  DAVIDSON. 

predominate  with  those  who  read  what  the  historian  says 
in  a  note  on  page  236,  as  follows : 

"  But  Mr.  Hawe,  though  admitted  on  application  by 
Transylvania,  did  not  take  his  seat  till  the  first  meeting 
of  Cumberland  Presbytery,  after  the  division,  as  appears 
from  the  minutes  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  ;  page  600. 
Then  was  the  appropriate  time  to  have  examined  him 
personally." 

What !  after  he  had  actually  become  a  member, 
"  cordially  received,"  "  admitted  on  application  ?  "  As 
well  might  it  have  been  an  appropriate  time  to  examine 
any  other  or  all  other  members.  Examination  should 
go  before  membership.  Who  ever  heard  of  admitting 
a  man  to  the  office  of  a  gospel  minister,  and  afterwards 
examining  into  his  worthiness  and  qualifications  for  such 
office  ? 

When  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  was,  by  the  Synod 
of  Kentucky,  constituted  out  of  the  lower  portion 
of  Transylvania  Presbytery,  the  former  was  to  comprise 
all  the  ministers  within  certain  hounds.  One  of  these 
was  the  Rev.  James  Hawe  who,  after  having  been 
"  cordially  received  "  by  the  parent  Presbytery,  had 
discharged  his  ministerial  duties  without  being  com- 
plained of,  for  either  heresy  or  immorality.  Why  did 
not  those  inveterate  opposers,  Craighead,  Templin, 
Bowman,  Donnell,  and  Balch,  if  "  then  was  the 
appropriate  time  to  have  examined  him,"  propose 
such  examination  ?  Evidently  because  they  knew  the 
absurdity  of  the  thing.  Examination,  at  the  time  and 
under  the  circumstances,  seems  to  be  a  new  and  original 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  S3^ 

idea,  the  credit  of  which  is  to  be  awarded  to  the  saga- 
city of  the  historian. 

Another  of  the  oiBcial  acts  of  these  ministers,  to  which 
the  historian  objects,  is  their  Hcensing  and  sending  forth 
exhorters  to  labor  among  the  destitute.  He  expresses 
his  disapprobation  in  part  as  follows :  — 

"  The  exhorters,  burning  with  zeal,  traveled  inces- 
santly through  the  vacant  congregations  upon  their 
'  circuits,'  (a  device  borrowed  from  the  Methodists 
two  years  before,)  exhorting  without  the  formaUty  of  a 
text." 

The  Transylvania  Presbytery  was,  long  before,  in  the 
practice  of  licensing  men  to  exhort  without  the  formality 
of  a  text.  This  is  mentioned  with  apparent  approbation. 
The  objection,  therefore,  must  be  to  the  burning  zeal, 
incessant  traveling,  and  borrowed  device.  The  Waldenses 
engaged  in  these  practices  with  great  success.  The 
history  of  the  Reformation  in  the  sixteenth  century, 
affords  some  noble  examples  of  itinerant  preaching. 
And  even  Presbyterians,  Old  as  well  as  New  School, 
have  to  some  extent  entitled  themselves  to  similar  praise. 
Besides,  there  is  an  ancient  record,  styled  the  Acts  of 
the  Apostles,  which  tells  the  story  of  those  who  —  it 
maybe  inferred  —  "  burning  with  zeal,  traveled  inces- 
santly throughout  the  vacant  congregations."  May  not 
the  device  have  been  borrowed  from  a  higher  source 
than  the  Methodists  ?  And  how  does  the  learned 
historian  interpret  our  Lord's  commission  :  "  Go  ye  into 
all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature." 
Could  he  interpret  this  in  a  way  to  justify  the  anti- 


340  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

revival  ministers,  in  remaining  stationary  and  preaching 
only  on  Sabbaths,  their  cold,  formal,  sapless  discourses, 
suited  to  drowsy  eyes  and  slumbering  consciences ; 
while  the  Macedonian  cry  was  coming  to  them  from 
every  quarter  ?  Would  he  construe  this  command  so 
as  to  justify  Dr.  Craighead's  eloquent  tirades  against 
the  revival,  or  Mr.  Balch's  "  publicly  opposing  the 
doctrines  of  faith,  repentance,  and  regeneration  ?  "  * 
Would  he,  in  all  candor,  dare  to  deny,  that  the  times 
actually  called  for  traveling  exhorters  of  some  kind, 
even  though  "  burning  with  zeal  ?  " 

It  is  possible  that  the  historian's  censure  is  cast,  not 
so  much  upon  itinerant  exhorters,  as  those  whom  he  is 
pleased  to  style  "  illiterate  exhorters,"  under  which 
epithet  he  includes  all,  without  exception.  Were  they 
as  illiterate  as  Simon,  Andrew,  James,  and  John,  when 
they  forsook  their  nets  to  be  made  fishers  of  men  ? 
And  were  they  destined  to  continue  thus  hopelessly 
ilHterate,  deprived  of  all  means  of  improvement  ? 
Verily,  no  :  the  intention  of  the  Presbytery  was,  and  the 
history  of  these  exhorters  proved,  far  otherwise.  The 
question  here  is  not  with  regard  to  a  learned  ministry : 
that  ministers  should  be  well  educated  and  thoroughly 
furnished  for  their  high  vocation,  is  undeniable.  But 
the  question  is,  whether  under  circumstances  the  most 
extraordinary  ever  known  in  the  American  church, 
men  of  acknowledged  talents,  intelligence,  and  piety, 
"burning  with  zeal,"  may  be  licensed  to  exhort  their 
fellow  beings,  although  they  may  not  have  acquired  the 

*  Smith's  History,  p  56S. 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  341 

full  knowledge  of  original  languages,  required  bj  the 
Book  of  Discipline  ?  At  a  time  when  a  glorious  work 
of  God  was  in  progress,  hundreds  and  thousands  inquiring 
the  way  of  salvation  —  when  the  evangelical  ministers 
could  do  but  little  towards  supplying  the  destitutions  of 
the  church  and  country  ;  and  too  many  of  their  brethren, 
like  Meroz,  came  not  to  the  help  of  the  Lord  against 
the  mighty  —  was  it  right,  according  to  Presbyterian 
usages  and  rules  of  discipline,  to  authorize  and  send 
forth  these  exhorters  ?  It  is  presumed  no  one,  relying 
on  the  word  of  God,  will  dispute  either  the  propriety  or 
the  justness  of  the  measure  ;  and  if  so,  the  course  of 
these  presbyters  is  justified  by  the  highest  authority. 
But  can  it  be  justified  by  the  laws  of  Presbyterianism  ? 

When  doubtful  questions  arise,  whether  in  civil  or 
ecclesiastical  law,  we  in  America  consult  the  codes  and 
decisions  of  the  courts  in  the  parent  state  or  church. 
Presbyterians  in  this  country  have  always  been  in  the 
habit  of  looking  to  the  practice  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  Scotland,  for  precedents  and  rules  of 
discipline ;  and  in  this  way  many  a  vexed  question 
has  been  settled.  In  the  same  way  the  question  under 
consideration  may  be  put  to  rest  forever,  by  reference 
to  the  rules  of  discipline  as  well  as  the  practice  of  the 
Scottish  church,  with  regard  to  a  class  of  men  styled 
exhorters  and  readers. 

"  This  latter  class  consisted  of  the  most  pious  persons 
that  could  be  found,  who,  having  received  a  common 
education,  were  able  to  read  to  their  more  ignorant 
neighbors,  though  not  qualified  fur  the  ministry.    When 


842  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

the  readers  were  found  to  have  discharged  their  duty 
well,  and  to  have  increased  in  their  own  knowledge, 
they  were  encouraged  to  add  a  few  plain  exhortations 
to  the  reading  of  the  scriptures,  and  then  they  were 
termed  exhorters.  If  they  still  continued  to  improve, 
they  might  finally  be  admitted  to  the  ministry."  * 

The  above  paragraph  is  a  quotation  from  an  abstract 
of  the  principles  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  concerning 
which  this  Scottish  historian  speaks  as  follows : 

"  Such  were  the  fundamental  principles  and  the 
chief  points  of  the  government  and  discipline  of  the 
Church  of  Scotland,  as  stated  in  the  Book  of  Discipline, 
drawn  up  by  John  Knox  and  the  most  eminent  of  the 
Scottish  Reformers,  approved  by  the  General  Assembly, 
and  subscribed  by  the  majority  of  the  nobles,  and 
inferior  barons  and  gentry,  composing  the  privy  council 
of  the  kingdom."  f 

Although  the  interference  of  the  civil  power  after- 
wards produced  changes  in  parts  of  the  discipline, 
there  is  no  evidence  that  the  article  in  question  has 
ever  been  changed.  Of  the  discipline  itself,  Hether- 
ington  informs  us  that  "  it  contains  the  deliberate 
opinions  of  the  Scottish  Reformers,  respecting  what 
they  regarded  as  the  fundamental  principles  of  the 
church  ;  "  and  of  the  abstract,  it  is  "  what  the  church 
of  Scotland,  from  the  beginning,  haS  either  been  or 
striven  to  be."  Now,  whatever  changes  the  iniquitous 
law  of  patronage,  and  the  arbitrary  practice  of  intrusion 
may  have  at  any  time  introduced,  they  do  not  even 

•  Hetheriogton'B  History  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  p.  64.  t  Tb.,  p.  67. 


REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON.  343 

aflfect,  or  in  the  slightest  degree  invalidate  the  funda- 
mental principles  which  the  Church  of  Scotland  has 
always  striven  to  naaintain. 

It  may  here  be  asserted,  without  the  fear  of  contra- 
diction, that  Finis  Ewing,  Alexander  Anderson,  Samuel 
King,  and  many  other  exhorters  of  this  period,  who 
afterwards  devoted  their  whole  lives  to  the  ministry, 
and  blessed  the  church  and  the  world  by  their  labors 
of  love,  were  in  every  respect  equal  to  what  the 
•discipline  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  required  in  such 
interesting  cases.  They  were,  in  the  judgment  of  a 
majority  of  their  Presbytery,  and  all  who  knew  them, 
■*'of  the  most  pious  persons  that  could  be  found." 
Every  one  of  them  "  had  received  a  common  educa- 
tion," at  least;  some  of  them  were  more  or  less  advanced 
in  languages  and  sciences.  They  "  discharged  their 
duty  well ; "  they  "  increased  in  their  own  knowledge  ;  " 
they  "  continued  to  improve,"  and  finally  "  were  admitted 
to  the  ministry." 

If  these  statements  are  true,  it  may  be  inquired,  in 
•what  respect  did  these  young  men  fall  short  of  what  was 
required  by  "  the  fundamental  principles  of  Presby- 
terianism,"  as  given  in  the  extract  from  Hetherington  ? 
All  must  see  that  they  fell  short  in  nothing.  But  they 
were  opposed  by  certain  old  ministers  of  their  own 
Presbytery  who  also  opposed  the  revival  from  its  very 
be  chinning ;  and  mtost  of  these  opposers  afcerwards  were 
•known  to  have  adopted  what  Presbyterians  regard  as 
abominable  heresies.  But  opposition  to  right  principles 
;and  practices  —  least  of  all  the  opposition  of  such  men, 


344  KEVIEW   OF  DAVIDSON. 

—  can  never  make  those  principles  and  practices  wrong-, 
and  we  have  seen  bj  how  high  authority  these  principles 
and  practices  are  sustained.  Besides,  most  of  the  young 
men  thus  admitted  to  the  ministry,  after  rendering  their 
names  illustrious  by  their  extensive  and  useful  labors^ 
have  gone  to  their  reward ;  and  many  thousands  bless 
their  memory.  It  is  thought  unnecessary  to  offer  any 
thing  in  proof  of  the  statements  respecting  these  men, 
because  their  truth  is  so  well  known,  that  no  infidel,  no 
errorist,  and  indeed  no  member  of  any  church,  who  has 
a  character,  would  be  willing  to  hazard  it  by  a  denial. 

If  the  word  of  God,  the  practice  of  the  Apostles, 
the  principles  and  practice  of  one  of  the  oldest,  most 
enlightened  and  evangelical  churches  of  the  Reformation, 
are  to  be  regarded  as  good  authority,  the  licensure  and 
ordination  of  Finis  Ewing  and  the  other  founders  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  must  stand  fully 
justified,  beyond  the  possibility  of  reasonable  doubt  or 
successful  denial.  It  follows  of  course  that  the  memory 
of  these  good  and  venerable  men  is  cleared  of  the  stain 
which  party  spirit  and  sectarian  zeal  have  endeavored  to- 
cast  upon  their  ministerial  character. 

This  ingenious  historian  introduces  into  his  work  the 
strictures  already  noticed  in  this  chapter,  evidently  fur 
the  purpose  of  justifying,  or  at  least  of  apologizing  for, 
the  tyrannical  proceedings  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky, 
against  the  Cumberland  Presbytery.  The  readers  of 
this  biography,  who  may  not  have  seen  Dr.  Davidson's 
History,  will  perhaps  be  startled  at  the  suggestion  that 
he  should,  out  of  threads  so  slender  and  so  easily  broken* 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  345 

seek  to  manufacture  a  web  of  justification  for  the  Synod's 
proceedings.  And  let  it  not  be  said  thsit  justification  is 
a  word  implying  too  great  severity  upon  the  historian. 
It  is  not  so.  If  there  is  meaning  in  his  words,  if  there 
is  sense  in  the  scope  of  his  narration,  he  attempts  more 
than  an  apology  ;  his  design  is  to  defend  the  Synod's 
acts  before  his  readers.  It  cannot  be  said  that  he 
merely  details  the  statements  of  others  at  second  hand, 
without  investigation  and  avouchment  of  their  truth. 
He  sets  them  forth  with  as  much  apparent  confidence  as 
any  man  could,  who  had  fully  and  impartially  examined 
and  found  all  true.  He  scarcely  expresses  a  doubt 
concerning  any  one  of  them.  He  does  even  more.  His 
reasonings  and  his  inferences  all  go  to  sustain  them ; 
and  his  colorings  are  evidently  intended  to  justify  the 
Synod.  But  how  does  he  aim  to  accomplish  so  difficult 
a  task  ?  His  strictures  and  their  demolishment,  in  this 
chapter  will  show  :  evidently  by  a  mode  of  logic  peculiar 
to  Old  School  Presbyterians.  By  this  kind  of  logic, 
"might  makes  right;"  and  whole  Synods  were  at  a 
later  period  cut  off  at  one  stroke,  without  even  the  form 
of  trial ;  which  violence  produced  what  is  invidiously 
termed  "  the  New  School  Schism."  And  what  is  there, 
which  such  logic  cannot  prove  ?  Indeed  and  in  truth, 
the  historian  does  endeavor  to  prove,  First,  that  the 
Synod  and  her  Commission  were  justifiable  in  demanding 
the  surrender  of  certain  ordained  Ministers,  Licenciates 
and  Candidates  of  Cumberland  Presbytery,  to  the  said 
Commission  for  re-examination,  when  no  charge  of  heresy 
or  immorality  had  been  regularly  brought  against  them  ; 


346  EKVIEW    OF  DAVIDSON. 

Second,  that  the  majority  of  Cumberiand  Presbytery  were 
censurable,  for  refusing  to  submit  to  so  tyrannical  and 
■unheard  of  a  proceeding ;  Third,  that  the  final  decision 
of  the  Commission  in  the  premises  was  neither  unjust  nor 
unconstitutional.  These  propositions  he  has  attempted 
to  prove  ;  and  to  these  he  shall  be  held.  There  is  no 
escape  for  him ;  and  the  logic  of  his  school  can  never 
deliver  him  from  the  righteous  verdict,  which  public 
sentiment  will  not  fail  to  award  to  his  acuteness. 

In  reply  to  Mr.  Rice's  letter,  written  by  direction  of 
Transylvania  Presbytery,  to  the  General  Assembly, 
meeting  in  Philadelphia,  "  requesting  advice  and  direc- 
tion on  the  delicate  point  of  licensing  men  to  preach 
without  a  liberal  education,"  that  venerable  body  spake 
as  follows : 

"  A  liberal  education,  though  not  absolutely  essential, 
has  been  shown  to  be  highly  important  and  useful,  from 
reason,  experience  and  the  prosperity  of  the  Presbyterian 
and  New  England  churches.  But  whatever  might  be 
the  Assembly's  opinion,  the  standards  are  exphcit  on  the 
subject.  As  to  the  apprehension  of  schism  in  consequence 
of  rigid  views,  the  reply  must  be,  that  the  path  of  duty 
is  the  path  of  safety,  and  events  are  to  be  committed  to 
God.  Parties  formed  under  such  circumstances  would 
neither  be  important  nor  permanent.  Notwithstanding, 
when  the  field  is  too  extensive,  catechists,  like  those  of 
primitive  times,  may  be  found  useful  assistants.  But 
great  caution  should  be  used  in  selecting  prudent  and 
sound  men,  lest  they  run  into  extravagance  and  pride. 
Their  duties  should  be  clearly  and  precisely  defined,  and 


REVIEW   OF  DAVIDSON.  347 

subject  to  frequent  inspection.  They  should  not  be  con- 
sidered standing  officers  in  the  church  ;  but  if  possessed 
of  uncommon  talents,  diligent  in  study,  and  promising 
usefulness,  they  might  in  time  purchase  to  themselves  a 
good  degree,  and  be  admitted  in  regular  course  to  the 
holy  minis ti-y." 

This  reply  is  plain  and  pertinent,  such  as  might  have 
been  expected  from  the  wisdom  and  piety  of  its  venerable 
authors.  It  is  truly  Presbyterian  as  well  as  Christian 
in  its  character ;  and  its  sentiments  are  entirely  con- 
formable to  those  of  the  first  extract  given  from  the 
discipline  of  the  Scottish  church.  If  the  opposers  of 
the  revival  had  better  understood  the  true  spirit  and 
usages  of  Presbyterianism,  and  followed  the  "  advice 
and  direction,"  given  in  this  reply  to  Dr.  Rice's  letter, 
it  is  impossible  to  estimate  the  blessed  consequences 
which  might,  and  probably  would  have  resulted  to  Chris- 
tian unity  and  the  glory  of  Christ's  cause.  Had  they 
simply  done  nothing,  but  allowed  the  friends  of  the 
revival  to  conduct  it,  unmolested,  without  stirring  up 
men's  evil  passions  and  bringing  ecclesiastical  tyranny  to 
oppose  its  progress;  it  is  almost  certain  there  would 
have  been  no  "  schism,"  no  separation ;  and  hundreds 
and  thousands  whose  multiplied  descendants  are  now  the 
ornaments  and  supporters  of  other  denominations,  would, 
as  they  ardently  desired,  have  lived  and  died  in  the 
Presbyterian  church.  As  in  1740,  so  in  a  much  greater 
degree  in  1800,  many,  wearied  with  contention,  sought 
quiet  in  other  communions.  And  in  the  case  hypothet- 
ically  stated,  might  not  the  historian  have  been  spared 


348  REVIEW   OF  DAVIDSON. 

the  pain  of  recording  the  heresies  of  Craighead  and  the 
Stoneites,  as  well  as  many  other  "  extravagances  and 
disorder  ?  "  A  revival  is  a  work  of  God  ;  but  some  men, 
in  their  fancied  wisdom,  undertook  to  regulate  it,  to 
reduce  it  to  certain  rules —  •'  uriguem  latum  non  disce- 
dere^^  —  from  which  it  was  not  to  vary  in  the  least. 
So  "  Uzza  put  forth  his  hand  to  hold  the  ark ;  for  the 
oxen  stumbled.  And  the  anger  of  the  Lord  was  kindled 
against  Uzza,  and  he  smote  him."  *  It  is  not  our 
business  to  trench  upon  the  ground  of  the  ecclesiastical 
histoi'ian,  by  proving  that  the  fi-iends  of  the  revival  did, 
but  their  opponents  did  not,  follow  the  advice  and 
direction  given  in  this  reply  of  the  Assembly,  however 
ample  materials  may  exist  for  settling  that  question. 
The  object  of  biography  is  accomplished  by  producing 
the  reply  itself  which  so  fully  and  unequivocally  justifies 
the  licensure  and  ordination  of  Mr.  Ewing.  And  ifc 
certainly  is  strong  evidence  of  the  candor  of  the  historian, 
when  he  introduces  a  document  which  militates  so 
egregiously  against  the  scope  of  his  narrative  and  the 
force  of  his  argument. 

The  historian,  in  a  somewhat  vague  and  desultory 
manner,  proceeds  to  the  establishing  of  the  three  points 
already  noticed,  justificatory  of  the  Synod,  by  adverting 
to  the  complaint  of  Craighead,  Donnell,  and  Bowman, 
"  against  the  doings  of  the  majority  "  of  Cumberland 
Presbytery. f  These  three  ministers,  together  with 
Templin  and  Balch,  as  he  elsewhere  expressly  declares, 
constituted  the  "  anti-revival  party."     Three  of  them, 

•1  Chron.  xiii,  9 -10.  t  Dav.  His.,  p.  280. 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  349 

with  two  elders,  had  years  before  dissented  from  the 
act  of  a  large  majority  in  licensing  Ewing  and  King ; 
and  though  they  mustered  a  long  list  of  reasons, 
evidently  of  little  importance  in  the  estimation  of  their 
own  party,  there  is  not  one  word  about  the  one  exception 
made  by  the  licentiates  to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 
Even  the  historian  himself,  in  the  ingenuousness  of  his 
nature  seems  surprised  at  this,  and  inquires  whether 
"  the  silence  was  to  be  ascribed  to  a  secret  sympathy 
with  heresy  ere  long  about  to  avow  itself?"*  But 
now,  in  October,  1804,  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  receive 
the  complaint  of  these  men  "  against  the  doings  of  the 
majority, ^^  which  may  mean  very  little  or  very  much. 

AVhen  men  really  have  well  founded  cause  of  com- 
plaint, they  know  very  well  what  they  complain  of; 
and  they  find  no  difficulty  in  letting  others  know, 
especially  those  to  whom  they  complain,  for  the  sake 
of  redress.  But  when  jealousy,  envy,  disappointed 
ambition,  or  any  thing  not  so  creditable  to  avow,  is 
the  secret  motive,  there  generally  is  more  or  less 
vacillation  between  certain  ostensible  causes  of  complaint, 
and  it  becomes  difficult  to  tell  which  is  the  most  promi- 
nent. This  is  doing  the  thing  after  the  fashion  of  a 
skillful  bowman,  who  provides  himself  with  two  or  more 
strings,  that  he  may  still  be  furnished  if  one  should 
break.     By  this  time  Ewing,  King,  and  Anderson  had 

*  He  knows  very  well  that  none  of  these  licentiates,  nor  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  body  ever  sympathized  with  the  heresies 
afterwards  avowed  by  Craighead,  or  the  Stoneites,  or  New  Lights, 
but  uniformly  exposed  them. 


850  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

won  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  pious  and  intelli- 
gent public  generally,  insomuch  that  many  of  their 
opposers  could  se'cure  but  few  hearers  at  a  time  when 
either  of  the  former  were  known  to  be  holding  meeting 
■within  the  distance  of  a  few  miles ;  hence,  complaints 
affecting  them  were  more  loud  but  less  specific  than 
formerly.  And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  after  the 
lapse  of  almost  half  a  century,  it  is  a  subject  of  debate 
whether  the  prominent  cause  of  complaint  and  censures 
against  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  for  licensing  and 
ordaining  certain  young  men,  was  because  they  were 
permitted  to  adopt  the  Confession  of  Faith  with  the 
exception  of  fatality  or  only  so  far  as  agreeable  to  the 
word  of  God,  or  because  they  had  not  completed  a 
classical  education ;  or  whether  both  were  causes  equally 
prominent.  To  say  that  the  former  was  the  cause  of 
complaint,  was  to  sustain  the  old  members  of  Cumberland 
Presbytery,  according  to  Presbyterian  usage  in  North 
Carolina,  where  most  of  them  had  been  trained  for  the 
ministry.*  To  say  that  the  latter  was  the  cause,  would 
be  to  sustain  them,  on  the  ground  that  most  of  these 
young  men  were  so  much  superior  in  literary  attainments 
to  one  of  their  own  number,f  whose  licensure  and  ordi- 

*  They  adopted  the  Confession  of  Faith  as  far  as  they  understood 
it,  meaning  that  they  did  not  understand  what  is  taught  concerning 
eternal  election  and  reprobation.  The  same  course,  we  are  informed, 
was  pursued  in  the  Presbytery  in  North  Carolina,  to  which  most  of 
the  old  members  of  Cumberland  Presbytery  had  formerly  been 
attached.  —  Note  in  Smith's  His.,  p.  598. 

t  As  the  literary  attainments  of  Mr.  Hodge  were  inferior  to  those 
of  most  of  the  young  men  licensed  and  ordained  by  Cumberland 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  351 

nation  by  Cumberland  Presbytery  -were  afterwards 
recognized  and  confirmed  by  Transylvania  Pi-esbytery, 
To  say  that  both  were  causes  equally  prominent,  is  still 
triumphantly  to  sustain  them  by  the  doings  of  Presby- 
terians themselves.  A  very  few  years  since,  a  little 
controversy  sprung  up  between  two  church  papers,  the 
one  an  Old  School,  and  the  other  a  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian, on  this  subject,  or  more  particularly  on  the 
causes  which  led  to  the  separation ;  and  the  worthy 
Old  School  editor,  being  too  wise  to  advocate  what  is 
untenable,  and  too  generous  to  uphold  what  is  unjust, 
very  prudently  dropped  the  subject,  leaving  the  affair 
"  Us  in  litey  And  here  it  must  remain,  until  the  good 
brethren  of  the  Old  School  in  the  west  have  the  mag- 
nanimity to  acknowledge  the  error  of  some  of  their 
fathers  ;  some  in  the  east  have  already  done  this.  The 
case  seems  quite  pl^in  to  all  who  look  at  it  impartially, 
and  may  be  thus  fairly  stated : 

In  the  glorious  revival  of  1800,  when  the  destitutions 
of  the  church  and  the  country  were  great  beyond  any 
known  example  in  this  country,  some  of  the  most  pious 
and  intelligent  young  men  were  appointed  to  the  ofiice 
of  catechists  and  exhorters.     These  continued  to  dis- 

Presbytery,  we  are  warranted  in  the  conclusion  that  the  only  very 
serious  difficulty  existing  between  the  two  bodies  consisted  in  the 
rejection  by  the  Council  of  what  they  deemed  fatality.  —  Smith's  His., 
pp.  637,  638. 

If  Samuel  Hodge's  licensure  and  ordination  by  Cumberland  Pres- 
bytery were  unconstitutional  and  wrong,  it  is  difficult  to  see  how 
they  could  be  recognized  and  confirmed  as  being  constitutional  and 
right,  except  by  the  peculiar  logic  already  referred  to. 


352  I^EVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

charge  their  duty  faithfully,  and  growing  in  grace  and 
knowledge,  were  licensed  to  preach ;  and  after  they 
had  sufficiently  evinced  their  aptness  to  teach,  and  had 
"  purchased  to  themselves  a  good  degree,  they  were 
admitted  in  regular  course  to  the  holy  ministry."  How- 
ever, according  to  the  practice  of  a  Presbytery  in  North 
Carolina  in  which  most  of  their  spiritual  fathers  had 
been  trained,  their  honest  scruples  were  respected ;  and 
they  adopted  the  Confession  of  Faith,  with  the  exception 
of  the  idea  of  fatality  which  seemed  to  them  to  be 
taught  in  that  book  under  the  high  and  mysterious 
doctrine  of  election  and  reprobation.  *  Certain  opposers 
of  the  revival  from  the  first,  contended  that  these  licen- 
sures and  ordinations  were  all  wrong.  Could  they,  or 
can  their  sympathizers  now  show  them  to  have  been 
unconstitutional  or  un-presbyterian  ?  Before  they  can 
do  so,  they  must  prove  the  discipline  and  practice  of 
the  Church  of  Scotland  a  perfect  nullity,  the  Assembly's 
advice   and   direction   to   Dr.    Rice    a    sheer  fallacy, 

*  Rev.  Barton  W.  Stone,  who  for  many  years  was  esteemed  an 
acceptable  and  useful  minister  in  the  Pi-esbyterian  church,  though  he 
afterwards  became  the  leader  of  the  party  called  Stoneites,  was 
oi-iginally  admitted  to  the  ministry  in  that  church,  notwithstanding 
his  conscientious  scruples  which  impelled  him  to  the  adoption  of  the 
Confession  of  Faith,  with  the  same  or  a  similar  exception. 

Rev.  Samuel  K.  Nelson,  the  able  and  eloquent  pastor  of  the  Pres- 
byterian church  at  Danville,  Kentucky  —  who,  having  fulfilled  the 
duties  of  his  agency  for  the  sale  of  lands  granted  by  Congress  to  the 
Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  of  Kentucky,  died  a  martyr  to  the  cause  of 
pliilanthropy,  in  Floiida  —  informed  the  writer  that  he  too  had  been 
admitted  to  the  ministry,  making  the  same  exception  to  the  Confession 
of  Faith.  He  mentioned  also  several  other  similar  instances  which  are 
not  specifically  recollected. 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  SSS 

the  scruples  of  conscience  regarded  by  the  Presbytery 
in  North  Carolina  as  well  as  by  other  Presbyteries,  an 
unmeaning  farce,  and  the  act  of  Transylvania  Presby- 
tery in  the  case  of  Rev.  Samuel  Hodge,  more  censurable 
and  degrading  than  all.     This  can  never  be  done. 

The  reader  is,  doubtless,  prepared  fully  to  justify  the 
evangelical  ministers  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
in  ordaining  Mr.  Ewing  and  others  of  a  like  character. 
But  what  will  be  thought  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky, 
■when  it  is  known  that  the  strange  proceedings  of  that 
body  were  founded  on  the  letter  of  Craighead,  Donnell, 
and  Bowman,  already  noticed  ?  A  mere  common  fame 
letter !  And  from  such  men  !  The  attentive  reader 
has,  doubtless,  made  up  his  judgment  of  the  character 
of  Craighead.  Donnell  was  one  of  those  whom  Smith 
and  Davidson  unite  in  declaring,  "  neither  qualified  by 
nature  or  education  to  be  conspicuous  or  influential."  * 
Bowman  "  was  accused  of  being  a  Stoneite  ;  and  after- 
wards suspended  by  Transylvania  Presbytery,  for 
refusing  to  appear  and  answer  to  the  charge  of  heresy 
and  schism."  f  This  was  a  notable  trio  to  stir  up  that 
venerable  body  to  appoint  what  the  evangelical  Scotch 
would  call  "  a  riding  committee,"  vested  with  full 
Synodical  powers  —  a  Commission  acknowledged  by  its 
apologist.  Dr.  Davidson,  without  precedent,  and,  thus 
far,  without  imi cation.  J 

If  there  are  yet  living  any  of  the  sympathizers  with 
this  Commission,  or  any  of  its  original  approvers,  still 
untaught  in  the  science  of  Presbyterianism,  they  will 

*  Davidson's  History.  pa«  229.  t  lb.  X  lb.,  page  242. 

30 


854  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

probably  think  they  have  reason  for  gratitude  to  the 
historian,  for  his  prudent  reserve  respecting  the  ^'■fama 
clamosa  "  letter  of  this  trio,  on  which  the  Commission 
based  their  strange  proceedings.  But  Smith  is  not  so 
very  modest.  He  speaks  the  thing  right  out^  regardless 
of  any  tingling  of  cheeks  it  may  occasion.  After 
noticing  the  Commission's  unreasonable  demand,  that 
the  young  men,  whether  ordained,  licensed,  or  candi- 
dates, both  the  learned  and  less  learned,  should  be 
surrendered  to  their  examination,  and  the  Presbytery's 
very  just  and  proper  refusal  —  after  reprobating  in 
suitable  terms  the  injustice  and  tyranny  of  the  Com- 
mission, in  prohibiting  all  the  young  men  from  exhorting, 
preaching,  and  administering  the  ordinances,  as  well  as 
in  citing  the  evangelical  ministers  to  appear  before 
Synod  and  answer  to  certain  unfounded  charges  —  he 
unhesitatingly  introduces  the  Commission's  concluding 
resolution,  in  the  following  words ;  — 

"  Resolved,  That  Thomas  B.  Craighead,  Samuel  Donnell,  and  John 
Bowman,  have  acted  irregularly,  in  taking  up  the  case  by  fama 
clamosa,  and  not  by  dissent."  * 

It  might  not  be  respectful  to  the  reverend  authors  of 
this  resolution,  to  say  that  it  stultified  all  their  previous 
acts  in  the  premises-;  but  to  say  that  it  nullified,  and 
rendered  all  void,  would  be  strictly  true.  It  sweeps 
away  the  entire  foundation  of  the  huge  fabric,  which, 
during  "  a  weary  session  of  eight  days,"  they  had  been 
laboring  to  erect.  The  monstrous  mass  of  materials, 
collected  on  the  credit  of  this  common  fame  letter,  is 

*  Smith's  History,  p.  612. 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  355 

prostrate  and  scattered  to  the  four  -winds j  and  truth 
aind  justice  cannot  find  a  vestige  left.  Even  Dr.  Smith, 
with  the  natural  shrewdness  of  the  Scotch  character, 
saw  this.  Its  palpableness  could  not  escape  his  pene- 
tration ;  and,  after  declaring  that,  ^'  from  the  showing 
of  the  Commission,  the  business  came  before  them 
irregularly,  thej  took  it  up  irregularly ;  and  the  whole 
of  their  proceedings,  from  first  to  last,  were  irregular 
and  unconstitutional ; "  *  he  virtually  charges  the  guilt 
of  schism  upon  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  in  terms  of 
strong  reprobation.  How  his  conscience  will  allow  him 
to  hold  ecclesiastical  connection  with  those,  who,  after 
almost  half  a  century,  show  no  disposition  to  acknowledge 
their  error  nor  repair  the  injury  it  has  inflicted,  is  not 
for  us  to  inquire.  The  Council's  letter  of  remonstrance 
to  the  General  Assembly,  in  1807,  will  exhibit  the  doings 
of  this  Commission  in  a  just  light.  See  Appendix,  A. 
The  monstrous  injustice  and  despotic  character  of  the 
proceedings  of  Kentucky  Synod,  by  her  Commission, 
have  been  so  often  and  triumphantly  proved,  and  so 
unequivocally  acknowledged  by  some  of  the  ablest  men 
and  soundest  disciplinarians  in  the  whole  Presbyterian 
church,!  that  it  would  be  superfluous  to  say  much  on 
that  subject.     By  the  Constitution  ©f  the  Presbyterian 

«  Smith's  History,  p.  612, 

t  Rev.  Dr.  Ely,  of  Philadelphia,  in  his  brief  liistory  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians,  in  relation  to  the  procedure  of  Kentucky  Synod, 
savs :  "  There  can  be  no  doubt  now,  in  .the  mind  of  any  sound 
Presbyterian,  but  that  the  suspension  of  the  ministers  above  named 
•was  wholly  unconstitutional,  and  ouj,'Iit  to  be  lield  void."  Smith's 
///.s-ten/.  p.€17. 


356  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON', 

church,  Presbyteries  are  authorized  to  license  and 
ordain  their  candidates  for  the  nainistry,  even  though 
they  may  not  have  completed  the  usual  course  of 
academical  studies,  &c.,  "in  extraordinary  cases."* 
This  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  did  in  the  great 
revival,  the  most  extraordinary  case  ever  known  on  the 
American  continent,  the  exercises  having  been  exhibited 
"  at  the  discretion  of  Presbytery."  f  A  discretionary 
power  is  given  to  Presbytery.  And  the  power  "  to 
examine  and  license  candidates  for  the  holy  ministry, 
to  ordain,  install,  remove,  and  judge  ministers,  is  granted 
expressly  and  exclusively  to  the  Presbytery,  and  to  no 
other  judicatory  in  the  church.  J  But  the  Kentucky 
Synod  were  stimulated  by  certain  opposers  of  the  revival, 
men  of  doubtful  piety,  and  of  little  influence  where  they 
were  well  known,  to  send  forth  a  Commission  who  assumed 
to  examine  candidates,  licentiates,  and  ordained  minis- 
ters, and  judge  of  their  qualifications.  This  Commission 
did  not  undertake  judicially  to  try  the  Presbytery, 
which  might  have  been  constitutionally  done;  but  to 
exercise  the  discretionary  powei's,  and  assume  the 
peculiar  responsibihties  which  are  assigned  to  the 
Presbytery  alone,  by  the  Constitution.  This  spiritual 
despotism  was  nobly  and  righteously  resisted.  Hence 
followed  prohibitions,  suspensions,  and  "  schism  ;  "  for 
which  God  and  posterity  will  hold  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
responsible. 

Can  it  be  possible  that  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  and 
all  the  members  of  the  Commission  were  so  unskilled 

♦Chap,  xiv.  Art.  6.  1  Chap.  xJv,  Ark  &  t  Chnp.  x,  Art.  8. 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSOX^  357 

in  Presbj'terian  Church  government,  that  they  uttei-ly 
failed  to  distinguish  between  the  judicial  power  by  which 
they  might  have  proceeded  against  the  Presbytery  as 
such,  to  "  redress  whatever  (Jif  any  thing)  has  been  done 
by  Presbyteries  contrary  to  order,"*  and  that  ministerial 
power  by  which  alone  candidates  can  be  licensed  and 
ordained  ?  Indeed,  they  ought  to  have  known  John 
Knox  and  the  struggles  of  the  evangelical  Scotch  a 
little  better.  Dr.  Hetherington,  in  his  history  of  the 
Church  of  Scotland,  arguing  the  case  of  the  Strath- 
bogie  seven,  page  437,  assumes  as  a  well-known  and 
indisputable  fact,  that  "  ordination  is  not  a  judicial  but 
a  ministerial  act."  Then,  of  course,  the  trial  and  licen- 
sure of  candidates  must  be  ministerial  acts.  Praying, 
preaching,  and  administering  the  ordinance?,  are  also 
ministerial  acts.  Can  any  earthly  power  render  abortive 
or  nullify  ministerial  acts  ?  Can  a  Synod  or  her 
commission  nullify  a  prayer  already  offered  ?  or  render 
abortive  a  sermon  actually  preached  ?  or  invalidate  a 
baptism  actually  administered  ?  or  abrogate  the  eucha- 
rist  solemnly  celebrated  ?  An  aflSrmative  answer  would 
be  met  with  nothing  less  than  scorn  and  contempt. 
In-  the  same  category  would  stand  the  annulment  of 
an  ordination,  performed  "  by  prayer  and  with  the 
laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery ; "  for  all 
are  ministerial  acts.  It  is  true,  those  authorized  to  do 
these  acts  are  responsible  to  their  own  Presbytery, 
whence  they  derived  their  authority,  for  performing 
them  aright ;  but  in  no  case  can  Synod  take  cognizance 

•  Chap,  xi,  Art.  4. 


358  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

of  them,  until  after  they  have  come  before  Presbytery 
by  regular  judicial  process,  and  from  thence  been 
carried  up  by  reference  or  appeal. 

Of  the  young  men  who  were  required  by  the  Commis- 
sion of  Synod  to  be  surrendered  to  them  for  their 
examination,  four  were  ordained.  The  Commission 
evidently  intended,  either  to  confirm  or  to  annul  these 
ordinations  at  their  own  discretion,  after  ascertaining  the 
qualifications  of  the  men.  It  cannot  be  supposed  that 
they  intended  at  all  event  to  confirm  any  or  all ;  for 
this  would  be  to  accuse  them  of  mental  prejudgment 
before  trial,  and  to  stamp  the  examination  demanded, 
■with  the  name  of  a  deceptions  farce.  Those  good  men 
could  never  be  guilty  of  prejudgment,  either  for  con- 
firmation or  annulment.  Then  it  must  be  evident  that 
they  intended  to  annul  these  ordinations,  provided  they 
did  not  approve  of  the  3'oung  ministers'  qualifications. 
Suppose  they  had  done  so ;  then  they  had  placed  them- 
selves in  a  most  unenviable  predicament  before  posterity 
and  the  world,  as  novices  in  church  government,  usurpers 
of  the  rights  of  the  Presbytery  and  nullifiers  of  one  of 
the  most  important  of  all  ministerial  acts.  Verily  the 
great  Presbyterian  family  ought  to  raise  a  monument  to 
the  memory  of  those  abused  revival  ministers  for  their 
noble  refusal  which  may  have  saved  the  denominational 
reputation  from  so  foul  a  blot.  And  gratitude  is  due 
to  them  and  their  no  less  abused  successors  who,  by 
their  stern  resistance  to  ecclesiastical  domination,  have 
saved  the  niost  scriptural  and  beautiful  form  of  church 
government  known  in  the  annals  of  Christianitv,  from 


REVIEW   OF    DAVIDSON.  859 

being  held  up  before  the  world,  full  of  contradictions 
and  absurdities. 

The  learned  historian,  after  concluding  his  account* 
of  the  doings  of  the  Commission,  with  a  little  more  than 
his  usual  warmth,  accuses  some  one  of  the  "  grossest 
ignorance,"  &c.,  as  follows  : 

"  The  charge  that  this  was  an  un-Presbyterian 
measure  could  have  originated  onlj  in  the  grossest 
ignorance  of  the  practice  of  the  mother  church  of 
Scotland." 

The  mother  church  of  Scotland  has  not  always  been 
uniform  in  her  practice,  because  corrupt  parties  have,  at 
various  times,  gained  an  ascendancy  in  her  government. 
The  exodus  of  the  evangelical  Free  Church  was  occa- 
sioned by  the  tyrannical  acts  of  the  corrupt  "moderate 
party,"  so  called.  The  writer  of  this  biography  knows 
not  to  whom  the  rsepectable  historian  imputes  this 
"  grossest  ignorance,"  whether  to  an  individual  or  to  a 
whole  denomination.  But  he  would  here  respectfully 
say  to  him,  and  all  whom  it  may  concern,  that  he  does 
charge  and  will  be  prepared  to  prove,  that  the  doings 
of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  by  her  commission  in  the 
matters  alluded  to,  are  un-Presbyterian,  according  to 
the  discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United 
States  and  that  discipline  which  the  evangelical  Scotch 
Church  has  ever  striven  to  maintain  —  whenever  any  old 
school  minister  of  reputation  for  piety,  talents,  and 
learning  shall  propose  to  maintain  the  contrary  in  a 
written  discussion  under  suitable  regulations. 

*DaT,  Hi?.,  p.243. 


360  REVIEW  OF    DAVIDSON. 

The  historian  next  endeavors  to  sustain  what  he  says 
in  the  sentence  above  quoted  from  his  book,  by  an  extract 
from  "Stewart  of  Pardovan"  —  the  only  quotation 
from  Scotch  authorities  noticed  in  his  whole  work.  But 
what  does  his  extract  prove  ?  Simply  the  difference 
between  Committees  and  Commissions,  and  that  the 
latter  can  do  all  that  the  judicatory  appointing  them 
empowers  them  to  do.  This  has  so  little  relevancy  to 
the  question  at  issue,  that  it  may  not  be  worth  while 
now  to  see  how  Stewart  of  Pardovan  can  be  arrayed 
against  "  Stewart  of  Pardovan."  But  granting  all  that 
the  writer  named  has  said  and  all  Dr.  Davidson  has 
attempted  to  prove,  what  is  the  amount  ?  Only  this : 
that  the  Commission  acted  by  authority  delegated  to 
them  by  the  Synod  of  Kentuck3^  But  it  is  contended 
that  the  Synod  neither  had,  nor  could  exercise,  nor 
could  delegate  any  such  authority.  Consequently  the 
Commission  acted  not  only  without  authority  but  un- 
lawfully, as  the  Synod  would  have  done,  if  that  body  had 
perpetrated  the  same.* 

*  The  unconstitutional  enroachment  of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia 
on  the  rights  of  Presbytery,  which  was  one  of  the  principle  causes  of 
the  great  schism  in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  America,  may  not  be 
generally  known.     Tracy's  account  is  as  follows : 

"In  1738,  the  Synod  enacted,  that  young  men  be  required  to 
produce  a  diploma  from  some  European  or  New  England  College,  be 
examined  respecting  their  literature  hij  a  commission  of  the  Synod,  and 
obtain  a  testimony  of  their  approbation,  be/ore  they  can  be  taken  on  trial 
by  any  Preshytei-y.     This  brought  matters  rapidly  towards  a  crisis." 

"  This  act  was  also  opposed,  as  an  infringement  on  the  rights  of  Pi  es- 
byteries,  to  whom,  it  was  contended,  that  the  great  Head  of  the  Church 
has  committed  the  entire  power  of  licensing  and  ordination,"  page  62. 


EEVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON.  861 

At  the  time  of  the  Reformation  the  Scottish  church 
enjoyed  purity  and  peace  in  as  high  a  degree  as  any 
Christian  church  whatever.  At  length  ambitious  and 
corrupt  men  crept  in ;  and  one  struggle  after  another 
had  to  be  maintained  by  the  pure  and  spiritual  Christians, 
against  the  nominal  and  worldly  minded  professors. 
Sometimes  even  the  higher  church  courts  fell  under  the 
sway  of  men  who  appear  to  have  been  little  better 
than  wolves  devouring  the  flock.  Ministerial  acts  were 
abrogated,  the  rights  of  conscience  disregarded,  and  the 
rights  of  Presbyteries  trodden  in  the  dust. 

This  was  done  for  the  most  part  by  the  tyrannical 
authority,  of  the  corrupt  "  moderate  party,"  appointing 
a  servile  Commission  to  perform  the  vile  tasks  assigned 
them ;  until  the  evangelical  party  could  bear  this  intole- 
rable oppression  and  unscrupulous  violation  of  their 
spiritual  rights  no  longer ;  and  they  seceded  in  a  body 
and  constituted  the  Free  Church.  Let  them,  in  the 
Church  of  Scotland,  and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians 

In  arranging  tlic  terras  of  reunion,  on  the  healing  of  the  great  schism 
in  1758,  this  tyrannical  encroachment  an  the  rights  of  Presbytery  was 
abandoned,  and  according  to  the  same  author,  the  following  stipu- 
lation was  entered  into:  "■  The  %vhole  subject  of  licensure  and  ordination 
was  left  to  the  Preshyieries,  ivitliout  interfrence  from  the  Synods  committee" 
page  387. 

After  all  this,  was  it  to  be  expected  that  any  Synod,  composed  of 
sane  men,  would  so  far  lose  sight  of  "  the  terms  of  union  "  and  of  what 
God  hath  ordained  in  his  church,  as  to  interfere  with  the  riglits  of  a 
Presbytery,  in  regard  to  licensure  and  ordination  ?  Such  an  enormity 
can  be  accounted  for,  only  on  the  supposition,  that  the  Elentucky 
Synod  bad  inherited  a  large  share  of  the  absurd  notions  and  tyran- 
nical spirit  of  their  old-side  fathcn. 

13 


862  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

in   the  Church  of  America,  stand   as  monuments  of 
successful  resistance  to  spiritual  despotism. 

It  may  be  proper  to  see  where  this  tyrannical  pro- 
ceeding of  sending  a  Commission  to  subdue  the  conciences- 
of  a  Presbytery  had  its  origin.  The  higher  church 
court  wished  to  intrude  a  favorite  of  their  own  upon  the 
parish  of  Peebles  ;  the  parishioners  opposed  it ;  and  a 
majority  of  the  Presbytery  were  too  conscientious  to 
sanction  it.  Therefore  the  higher  court  appointed  a 
Commission  to  do  what  the  consciences  of  the  parish 
and  Presbytery  could  not  sanction ;  and  the  Scottish 
historian  speaks  of  the  case  as  follows : 

*'  By  this  device  both  the  opposition  of  the  people  and 
the  conscientious  reluctance  of  the  Presbytery  were 
surmounted,  and  an  unscrupulous  hireling  intruded  upoa 
an  unwilling  congregation.  And  it  is  of  importance  to 
mark,  that  this  was  the  first  instance  on  record  in  which 
the  superior  church  courts  appointed  an  ambulatory 
commission  with  powers  to  outvote  and  overrule  the 
conscientious  reluctance  of  a  Presbytery,  to  inflict  a 
grievous  vf'rong  upon  the  people ;  giving  thereby  a  pre- 
cedent to  a  course  of  procedure  which  was  a  few  years 
afterwards  matured  into  a  system  under  the  sway  of 
Moderate  policy  during  its  first  dynasty  when  its  decrees 
were  regularly  carried  into  effect  by  those  '  Riding 
Committees,'  as  they  were  termed,  from  their  dragoon- 
like array  and  doughty  achievements  in  the  cause  of 
spiritual  despotism."  * 

It  is  proper  to  notice  a  few  things  wherein  the  Com- 

♦  Hetherington's  History,  page  340,  841. 


REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON.  863 

missions  of  the  corrupt  party  in  the  Scottish  church  and 
the  Commission  of  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  agree,  and 
wherein  they  differ.  Both  were  the  tools  of  the  higher 
courts,  respectively  appointing  them.  Both  were  to  do 
the  bidding  of  usurped  authority.  Both  were  to  act 
regardless  of  the  rights  of  Presbytery.  Both  were  to 
do  what  their  brethren  in  the  ministry  felt  bound  in 
conscience  to  oppose.  The  acts  of  both,  though  approved 
by  a  few  partizans,  and  doubtless  by  many  pious  but  ill- 
informed  persons  at  a  distance,  exasperated  the  well 
informed  and  grieved  pious  hearts  generally  where  they 
took  effect.*  But  in  some  respects  there  is  a  difference. 
The  Scottish  Commissions  were  often  required  to  outvote 
the  Presbyters,  overrule  their  conscientious  reluctance, 
and  thus  arbitrarily  carry  their  measures.  But  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky  took  higher  ground  and  clothed  her 

*  Dr.  Davidson,  speaking  of  the  many  instances  of  disrespect  and 
manifestations  of  opposition  to  the  Commission,  says : 

"  The  whole  community  were  exasperated.  There  was  but  a 
single  man  in  the  entire  neighborhood,  ("and  he  lived  three  or  four 
miles  from  the  church,)  who  was  willing  to  open  his  house  and 
extend  common  hospitality  to  the  members,"  page  235. 

Certainly  this  was  reprehensible.  The  Commission  ought  to  havo 
been  civilly  received  and  hospitably  entertained,  however  ungracious 
their  errand.  This  inhospitable  treatment  of  the  ministers  of 
religion.  *can  only  be  accounted  for  from  the  excited  state  of  the 
public  mind.  In  a  region  so  densely  populated,  there  must  have 
been  many  professors  of  that  religion  which  teaches  to  render  good 
for  evil.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  Spirit  of  the  Divine  Teacher 
was  not  more  fully  evinced.  But  it  often  happens  that  the  irreligious 
take  the  lead  on  these  occasions.  It  was  often  so  in  Scotland ;  and 
it  sometimes  happened  that  the  acts  of  Commissions  produced 
excitements  and  disturbaaces  which  could  only  be  quelled  by  the 
civil  authorities. 


864  REVIEAV  OF  DAVIDSON. 

Commission  with  full  Synodical  powers  ;  and  the  latter, 
regardless  of  Presbyterial  rights  and  conscientious  scru- 
ples, undertook  to  overhaul  the  discretionary  powers 
and  proceedings  of  Presbytery,  for  years  previous,  with 
a  view,  doubtless,  of  confirming  or  annulling  them 
according  to  their  pleasure.  The  end  appears  to  be  the 
same  in  both  ;  but  they  differ  in  the  means.  The 
Scotch  often  resisted,  but  too  often  without  success, 
owing  to  their  connection  with  the  State.  These  mem- 
bers of  Cumberland  Presbytery,  in  this  land  of  religious 
liberty,  resisted  righteously,  nobly,  and  successfully,  and 
deserve,  as  they  will  receive,  the  gratitude  of  the 
Christian  world. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

REVIEW     OF      DAVIDSON. 

His  sketches  of  certain  cliaracters,  including  some  of  those  who  became  the 
founders  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  of  whom  Mr.  Ewing  vras 
the  most  prominent  and  active. 

The  historian's  sketches  of  some  of  members  of  the 
Cumberiand  Presbytery  are  evidently  not  such  as 
justice  to  the  worthy  dead  would  require.  It  is  true, 
Dr.  Davidson  appears  to  be  a  candid  writer,  and  his 
work  affords  abundant  evidence  of  his  intention  to 
observe  accuracy  and  impartiality.  However,  his  details 
are  given,  not  from  his  personal  knowledge,  but  the 
statements  of  others ;  some  of  whom  have  been  known 
from  first  to  last,  as  opposers  of  the  revival  of  1800, 
approvers  of  the  acts  of  Kentucky  Synod,  and  opponents 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  And  his 
ecclesiastical  relation,  as  well  as  his  locality,  must  have 
afforded  him  ample  means  of  learning  all  that  could  be 
arrayed,  whether  favorable  to  the  Old  School  sect,  or 
unfavorable  to  the  so-called  "Cumberland  Schism." 
Hence,  any  inaccuracies  or  omissions,  doing  injustice 
to  the  latter,  may  be  ascribed  less  to  his  want  of  candor 
than  of  caution. 

llis  sketch  of  Ptcv.  James  McGready  is  calculated  to 
do   great  injustice  to  the  memory  of  that  good  man. 


366  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

Rev.  Thomas  Cleland,  D.  D.,  -who  was  one  of  the 
Commission,  and  afterwards  a  defender  of  its  acts  in 
a  "  Brief  History,  &c.," — and  consequently  cannot 
be  suspected  of  undue  partiality  towards  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  —  in  1848  "  felfc  constrained,  from  a 
sense  of  duty  to  the  worthy  dead,"  to  correct  the 
historian,  in  a  letter  published  in  the  Louisville  "  Pres- 
byterian Herald."  See  Appendix,  C.  See  also 
Appendix,  D,  a  sketch  by  Rev.  John  Andrews. 

But  the  historian's  sketch  is  liable  to  other  objections 
than  those  noticed  by  Dr.  Cleland.  Having  dated 
"  this  deplorable  occurrence  in  the  career  of  a  zealous 
minister,"  about  four  years  after  it  actually  happened, 
he  says,  "  after  this  occurrence  Mr.  McGready's  influ- 
ence and  unction  in  the  pulpic  were  never  the  same 
that  they  had  been  before."*  This  representation  is 
calculated  to  make  the  impression  that  the  affair  was 
extensively  noised  abroad  and  highly  censured,  insomuch 
that  it  prostrated  his  influence,  and  destroyed  his  unction 
in  the  pulpit.  The  truth  is,  the  affair  was  little  known 
or  talked  of,  except  by  McGready  himself,  whose  great 
desire  to  benefit  his  fellow  men  led  him  to  make  use  of 
it  as  a  warning  to  others.  And  it  is  not  known  that  it 
had  any  effect  on  his  unction  or  his  influence,  further 
than  to  evince  his  conscientious  abhorrence  of  the  too 
prevalent  use  of  the  deceitful  beverage,  and  to  convince 
both  friends  and  foes  of  the  sincerity  of  his  repentance. 
It  is  observable  that  the  historian  commences  his  sketch 
by  advertising  his  readers  that  Mr.  McGready's  "  name 

•  Dbv.  His.,  p  261. 


KEVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  367 

was  intimately  associated  with  the  early  history  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterians ;  and  he  is  still  venerated  bv 
them  as  one  in  sentiment,  and  the  patriarch  of  their 
order."  In  conclusion  he  significantly  remarks,  that 
•^'  after  his  decease  the  bulk  .of  his  congregation  joined 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterians."  It  is  possible  that 
the  two  last  circumstances  had  no  tendency  to  mollify 
the  materials  relied  on  for  the  sketch.* 

The  historian  accuses  Woodward's  edition  of  Buck's 
Theological  Dictionary  of  a  misrepresentation,  also 
Bush's  edition  of  Buck  and  Brown's  Religious  Encyclo- 
pedia of  perpetuating  the  error;  wherein  Ewing  and 
King  are  styled  "  regularly  ordained  ministers  of  the 
Presbyterian  church."  He  speaks  of  these  ministers 
as  "having  been  prohibited  (by  the  <^ommission)  from 
preaching,  by  virtue  of  any   authority  derived   from 

*  The  materials  furnished  for  the  history  under  consideration  must 
■have  contained  a  degree  of  bitterness  calculated  to  work  prejudice 
against  Rev.  James  McGready.  The  facts  existing  in  his  favor  ara 
as  important  as  impressive ;  and  the  integrity  of  history  would  by  no 
means  allow  their  suppression.  Hence,  although  Dr.  Davidson  is 
impelled  by  truth  and  censisteney  to  testify  to  much  good,  he  seems 
willing  to  surmise  or  insinuate  rather  more  evil  than  seems  just 
against  a  departed  minister  of  Christ,  who,  in  his  day  was  confessedly 
a  burning  and  sliining  light.     The  following  is  a  single  instance: 

"But  while  the  Methodists  thus  boldly  claim  the  credit  of  the 
work,  it  is  worthy  of  notice  thct  Mr.  McGready  makes  no  mention 
■of  this  incident  in  his  account,  exhibiting  in  his  silence,  perhaps, 
a  degree  of  spiritual  ambition  of  which  the  good  man  was  not 
•conscious." 

Where  was  the  necessity  of  casting  so  ungenerous  a  suspicion  on 
the  pious  dead?  There  is  nothing  whatever  to  justify  it  Horace 
characterizes  a  similar  example  in  thsse  words : 


868  REVIEW   OF  DAVIDSOSr. 

Cuynherland  Presbytery ;  whereas,  their  authority  was 
derived  from  Transylvania^  just  prior  to  the  erection 
of  Cumberland."  *  It  cannot  be  denied,  that  the 
Commission,  not  as  well  informed  as  they  might  have 
been,  and  in  their  hot  haste  to  extin^iuish  the  lio;hts 
of  the  revival,  prohibited  from  preaching  and  adminis- 
tering in  consequence  of  authority  obtained  from 
Cumberland ;  thus  leaving  the  authority  of  Ewing, 
King,  &c.,  untouched;  they  having  derived  their 
authority  from  Transylvania  Presbytery.  Dr.  Davidson 
calls  this  "  a  technical  oversight  " — "  a  mere  inadver- 
tence"—  involving  "a  legal  quibble" — "which  he 
will  not  undertake  to  discuss  at  present/'  No:  he 
would  not  '^undertake  to  discuss  it."  He  had  reasoned 
the  matter  sufficiently,  on  page  226,  to  justify  him,  as 
he  doubtless  thought,  in  denouncing  "  as  a  mere  verbal 

' — "  Hie  nigroD  succus  loliginis :  licec  est 

iErago  inera  : "  Lib.  I,  Sat.  4. 

Translation. —  This  is  tlie  essence  of  foul  poison;   tliis  is  mere 
m.ilicc. 

The  unmentioned  incident  is  trifling  in  itself,  ;ind  unworthy  o( 
notice  —  a  few  words  of  exhortation  by  one  John  McGce  —  it  never 
deserved  any,  and,  probably,  under  the  circumstances,  never  wouki 
have  had  any,  except  for  the  use  made  of  it  by  a  certain  Methodist 
writer,  when  it  was  seized  upon  by  rabid  opposcrs  of  tlie  revival, 
as  an  evidence  of  undue  Methodist  influence.  Mr.  McGready  wrote 
before  all  these,  and  made  no  mention  of  so  unimportant  a  circum- 
stance, probably  never  dreaming  that  tlie  sectaries  could,  in  after 
times,  magnify  it  into  any  importance.  Is  it  consistent  with  the 
Apostle's  exposition  of  charity,  for  a  dignified  ecclesiastical  historian 
to  make  the  omission  of  so  insignificant  a  circumstance  the  ground 
for  a  charge  of  '^spiritual  ambition"  against  a  minister  who  has  gone 
to  his  reward,  and  is  no  longer  here  to  explain  or  defend  himself*  j 
*Dav   His.,  p.  265  ' 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  369 

quibble  and  disingenuous  subterfuge,"  the  acknowledged 
fact,  that  the  Commission  left  the  authority  of  Ewing, 
King,  &c.,  untouched. 

Now  there  was,  in  the  days  of  Absalom's  conspiracy, 
one  Ahithophel,  whose  counsel  was  turned  into  foolish- 
ness ;  and  David  was  spared.  And  in  the  days  of  the 
Reformation,  the  legate  de  Vio's  blundering  policy,  and 
the  Bishop  of  Asculan's  hot  haste,  actually  condemned 
the  reformer  before  the  sixty  days  granted  by  the  Pope's 
summons  had  expired  ;  and  Luther  escaped.  Speaking 
of  the  circumstance,  the  reformer  says :  "  They  certainly 
forgot  to  clear  their  brains  with  hellebore,  before  they 
had  recourse  to  such  clumsy  artifice."  *  And  in  the 
progress  of  the  revival  of  1800,  a  Commission  of 
Kentucky  Synod,  bent  on  silencing  all  the  promoters 
of  that  gracious  work,  prohibited  from  preaching,  &c., 
all  who  had  derived  their  authority  from  one  Presbytery, 
unwittingly  leaving  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  their  minis- 
terial rights,  those  who  had  derived  their  authority  from 
another  Presbytery.  Will  any  one  pretend,  that  the 
righteous  providence  of  God  had  nothing  to  do  with 
these  things  ?  Will  it  be  said  that  the  defeat  of 
Ahithophel's  evil  counsel,  of  the  Papists'  malicious 
condemnation,  and  of  the  Commission's  unjust  pro- 
hibition, were  nothing  more  than  "  a  technical  oversight, 
a  mere  inadvertence,  a  verbal  quibble,  a  disingenuous 
subterfuge  ?  "  Verily  these  missiles  recoil  with  destruc- 
tive force.  In  each  case  the  facts  are  on  record,  and 
will  be  judged  of  by  the  same  rule. 

•D'Aubigne's  History,  vol.  i,  p.  324. 


370  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

The  historian  has  been  rather  unfortunate  in  his 
interpretation  of  certain  remarks  of  Mr.  Ewing,  in 
his  letter  to  Mr.  Smith.  Speaking  of  the  College 
established  at  Princeton,  Ky.,  bj  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterians,  he  says :  "  Finis  Ewing,  true  to  his 
early  prejudices,  was  not  slow  to  express  his  appre- 
hensions that  the  possession  of  a  College  would  awaken 
a,  spirit  of  pride  and  self-confidence,  and  tempt  them  to 
lean  too  much  on  the  arm  of  flesh."  *  Reference  is 
here  made  to  Smith,  page  663,  where  Mr.  Ewing  says : 
"  I  never  dreaded  opposition  from  any,  and  every  other 
quarter,  so  much  as  a  spirit  of  pride  and  self-confidence 
in  our  own  denomination.  On  this  account  I  feared  a 
General  Assembly.  On  this  account  I  am  afraid  of  a 
great  Theological  Seminary,  however  much  such  an 
institution  may  be  needed.  On  this  account  I  even 
sometimes  tremble,  while  I  rejoice  at  the  almost  unpar- 
alleled growth  of  our  denomination.  And  I  would  say 
to  this,  and  to  all  future  generations  of  Cumberland 
Presbyterians,  if  you  would  prosper,  he  humble!  be 
HUMBLE ! !  BE  HUMBLE ! ! !  " 
,  Here  speaks  the  man  who  had  devoted  his  youth,  his 
manhood  and  old  age  to  the  interests  of  a  church  which, 
feeble  and  few,  and  confined  to  a  section  at  first,  had 
by  this  time  increased  and  extended  throughout  the 
Mississippi  Valley ;  who  was  claimed  by  thousands  as 
their  spiritual  father.  This  was  the  language  of  a  man, 
naturally  bold,  sanguine,  high-spirited,  and  self-relying, 
who  had  struggled  through  life  against  misrepresenta- 

•Darjdson,  p.  259 


REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON.  871 

tions,  oppositions,  and  perecutions ;  till,  finding  his 
strength  lay  in  his  weakness,  his  success  in  dependence 
on  God,  he  had  learned  a  lesson  of  humility  which  ho 
would^  teach  to  succeeding  generations.  But  there  is 
certainly  nothing  in  this  passage  which  can  justify  any 
unfavorable  inference  respecting  "  his  early  prejudices," 
or  his  views  of  ministerial  education.  And  the  unwar- 
ranted inference  might  have  passed  unnoticed,  but  for 
the  belief  that  some  have  deemed  it  expedient  to  foster, 
and  to  diflfuse  the  sentiment,  that  Cumberland  Presby- 
terians were  at  least  in  their  origin  opposed  to  ministerial 
education.  Nothing  is  more  untrue  or  unjdst.  However, 
since  they  have  established  and  endowed  colleges,  it  is 
said,  they  have  changed  their  policy.  It  is  a  sentiment 
founded  in  prejudice,  from  which  even  the  candid  Dr. 
Davidson  is  not  free,  when  he  says,  "  although,  like  the 
New  Side  party  of  the  previous  century,  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  seemed  at  first  to  lay  greater  stress 
on  piety  and  zeal  in  the  ministry  than  on  orthodoxy  and 
learning,  time  and  experience  wrought  a  salutary  change 
in  their  policy ;  and  as  a  happy  consequence,  we  find 
the  one  like  the  other,  by  a  singular  coincidence  of 
names  fostering  their  Princeton.'*^ 

When  this  country  was  new,  schools  and  teachers 
were  scarce  ;  and  but  few  were  able  to  bear  the  expense 
of  sending  abroad  for  education.  The  revival  of  1800, 
•which  was  at  first  confined  to  the  Cumberland  and 
Green  river  settlements,  encountered  the  determined 
opposition  of  one  half  the  ministers  in  the  entire  region. 
In  so  extraordinary  a  case,  pious  and  intelligent  young 


372  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

men  found  their  services  so  urgently  demanded,  that 
they  could  not  seek  education  abroad.  But  even  then 
ministers  and  people,  as  they  do  now,  justly  appreciated 
the  advantages  of  education,  especially  to  those  who 
were  to  labor  in  word  and  doctrine.  But  the  means 
were  comparatively  unattainable. 

With  regard  to  Mr.  Ewing,  it  may  be  said,  although 
he  did  not  complete  his  classical  studies  —  owing,  as  it 
is  supposed,  to  a  suspension  of  the  seminary  —  there  is 
abundant  evidence  that  he  contracted  a  fondness  for 
reading  even  in  his  childhood,  and  was  distinguished 
among  the  companions  of  his  youth  for  his  knowledge 
of  books.  lie  was  through  life,  not  only  a  laborious 
preacher  but  an  indefatigable  student.  With  growth  in 
grace,  he  connected  knowledge  of  the  truth.  And  in 
his  Lectures  to  young  men,  while  he  urged  the  necessity 
of  eminent  holiness,  he  did  not  fail  to  enjoin  diligence 
in  study,  in  order  to  mental  cultivation.  "  Learning  is 
the  excellent  handmaid  of  religion,"  was  his  his  favorite 
expression. 

For  a  great  number  of  years  he  afforded,  at  Ids  own 
house,  gratuitous  board  and  instruction  to  class  after 
class  of  young  men,  preparing  for  the  ministry.  Must 
prejudice  misconstrue  such  a  man's  warnings,  against 
pride  and  self-confidence,  and  his  pleadings,  for  humility 
and  dependence  on  God,  into  "  early  prejudices  "  against 
ministerial  education  ?  ^^  Fiat  justitia  "  teaches  a  dif- 
ferent maxim.  In  reply  to  a  letter,  written  in  1824, 
consulting  him  about  the  establishment  of  a  College,  he 
says :    "  This  is  what  I  have   always   desired.      And 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  373 

it  has  been  long  needed.  It  shall  have  my  hearty 
co-operation  and  support ;  but  let  it  be  undertaken  and 
conducted  in  humble  dependence  on  God,  and  with  an 
eye  single  to  his  glory  and  the  salvation  of  precious 
souls. "  And  in  the  spring  of  1825,  he  writes,  "  I 
expect  to  be  there  (at  the  meeting  of  the  Synod  at 
Princeton)  and  I  hope  you  will  have  your  plan  digested 
and  ready  to  be  submitted.  For  though  the  Assembly 
question  may  claim  much  of  our  time,  we  must  and  will 
take  time  to  consider  the  subject  of  which  your  heart 
seems  so  full.  There  may  be  a  difference  of  opinion 
respecting  the  plan,  the  location,  &c,,  but  none  about 
the  school  itself.  All,  I  trust,  will  be  prepared  to  say 
with  you,  '  afford  to  our  candidates  advantages,  equal 
to  those  so  wisely  provided  by  the  mother  church.' 
And  while  we  increase  our  hterary  and  theological 
advantages,  let  us  lose  not  a  particle  of  our  trust  in 
God ;  while  we  call  to  our  aid  human  learning,  let  us 
most  fully  rely  on  that  wisdom  which  is  from  above.  It 
may  be,  my  dear  brother,  that  Providence  has  cast  your 
lot  among  us  for  good.  Lie  at  the  foot  of  the  cross,  and 
take  courage  ;  we  will  have  a  College  or  Seminary  of 
some  sort." 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year,  the  Synod  met  at  Princeton, 
Ky.  The  plan  of  a  college  was  submitted,  read  in  the 
house,  and  referred  to  a  select  committee,  of  which  Rev. 
Finis  Ewing  was  chairman.  The  writer  being  a  member 
of  this  committee,  well  remembers  —  having  sometimes 
had  occasion  to  repeat  —  many  of  the  venerable  man's 
remarks  during  the  consideration  of  the  subject.    Of  the 


374  REVIEW   OF  DAVIDSON. 

course  of  study,  he  said:  "  Let  it  be  as  extensive  as 
that'  of  our  best  western  Colleges  generally  ;  it  may 
and  probably  will  be  necessary  afterwards  to  enlarge  it. 
It  would  be  desirable  that  all  our  candidates  could 
accomplish  the  entire  course  ;  but  this  the  circumstances 
of  some  may  not  admit.  Let  them  be  thorough  however 
in  whatever  they  undertake.  Superficial  learners  will 
be  superficial  thinkers  ever  afterwards  ;  and  the  day  for 
sustaining  a  reputation  by  the  name  merely,  without  the 
reality  of  learning,  has  passed.  The  spirit  of  the  age 
demands  thorough  knowledge,  armor  always  in  order  for 
the  maintainance  of  the  truth.  And  whether  men  will 
endure  sound  doctrine  or  not,  we  who  preach  must  be 
thoroughly  furnished  with  facts  and  arguments  to  fortify 
and  render  it  invulnerable  to  all  the  attacks  of  sophistry. 
The  weapons  of  truth  are  often  powerless  and  inefiicient, 
when  wielded  by  feeble  and  unskillful  hands.  Whether 
our  pupils  take  a  partial  or  the  entire  course,  let  them  be 
thoi-ough  masters  of  the  branches  they  study.  I  never 
wish  to  see  pretenders  among  our  ministers.  I  do  not 
like  to  hear  men  quote  Latin  and  Greek,  when  further 
acquaintance  may  prove  them  less  skilled  in  those 
languages  than  some  who  studied  forty  years  ago,  in  the 
back  woods.  High  pretensions  to  theological  learning, 
founded  on  the  reading  of  a  few  controversial  works, 
without  any  accurate  acquaintance  with  those  who  stand 
as  beacon-lights  to  a  pure  Christianity,  never  fail  to 
disgust  me.  I  have  no  fellowship  for  the  mere  smatterer. 
My -experience  and  observation  have  convinced  me,  that 
the  superficial  scholar  is  apt  to  cherish  a  greater  pride 


REVIEW   OP   DAVIDSON.  875 

of  scholarship  than  most  others."  Both  in  Committee 
and  before  the  Synod,  Mr.  Ewing,  -while  he  eloquently 
advocated  the  establishment  of  the  proposed  College  and 
the  cause  of  education  generally,  did  most  solemnly 
warn  his  brethren  against  trusting  in  an  arm  of  flesh. 
So  the  Puritan  commander  exhorted  his  soldiers  :  "  Be 
sure  to  trust  in  God,  while  you  keep  your  powder  dry." 
Will  the  sentiment  justify  a  reproachful  inference  ? 

In  1840  the  College  being  then  without  endowment, 
and  sustained  by  tuition  fees  alone,  labored  under  some 
pecuniary  embarrassment.  On  being  informed  of  the 
fact,  Mr.  Ewing  promptly  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
church,  which  was  published  in  the  Banner  of  Peace, 
pleading  for  its  endowment  with  a  fund  of  a  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  and  proposing  to  make  a  donation  of 
five  hundred  dollars.     See  Appendix,  E. 

It  may  be  proper  to  observe  that  the  College,  being 
partially  endowed,  is  prospering  under  the  presidency 
of  Rev.  Richard  Beard,  D.  D.,  one  of  its  early  alumni, 
assisted  by  accomplished  professors.  Several  other 
Colleges  have  been  established  by  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterians.  Lebanon  University,  under  the  presi- 
dency of  Rev.  Thomas  C.  Anderson,  A.  M.,  assisted 
by  three  professors  and  two  tutors,  is  to  be  endowed 
with  a  permanent  fund  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
more  than  two-thirds  of  which  sum  having  been  already 
obtained.  The  average  number  of  its  pupils,  for  a  few 
years  past,  has  been  about  130.  Connected  therewith 
is  a  Department  of  Law,  under  three  professors,  who 
rank  among  the  ablest  jurists  in  the  State.    The  number 


376  REVIEW   OF  DAVIDSON. 

of  students  in  this  Department  varies  from  50  to  75. 
The  late  General  Assembly  made  arrangements  for  a 
Theological  Department,  which  is  shortly  to  go  into 
operation.  The  College  of  Beverly,  Ohio,  the  College 
at  Dangerfield,  Texas,  Bethel  College,  at  McLemores- 
ville.  West  Tenn.,  and  Chapel  Hill  College,  Mo.,  under 
the  presidency  of  Rev.  Robert  D.  Morrow,  D.  D.,  are 
all  represented  as  highly  prosperous  and  flourishing.  A 
number  of  academies  and  high  schools  are  doing  good 
service  in  the  cause  of  education.  From  the  zeal  and 
liberality  displayed  in  the  establishment  of  literary 
institutions  of  diflferent  grades  —  from  the  avowed  deter- 
mination of  the  influential  members  of  the  church  — 
it  is  believed  that  the  time  is  not  distant  when  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  ministry  will  stand  second  to 
no  other  in  America.  The  church  at  this  time  sustains 
nine  religious  periodicals,  six  of  them  are  published 
weekly,  and  three  monthly. 


CHAPTER  XXVm. 

REVIEW     OF     DAVIDSON. 
His  representations  of  the  doctrines  of  tlie  latter  class  of  men. 

The  historian  uniformly  represents  the  young  men 
who  entered  the  ministry  during  the  revival  of  1800, 
and  who  afterwards  became  the  founders  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  church,  as  decidedly  Arminian  in 
sentiment.  He  says,  "  McGready  and  Hodge  professed 
to  be  Calvinists,"  while  he  as  unhesitatingly  asserts  that 
*'  Rankin,  McGee,  and  the  whole  troop  of  exhorters 
were  as  decidedly  Arminian."*  Under  this  significant 
phrase  he  would  comprehend  all  the  young  men,  whether 
preachers  or  exhorters. 

McGready  and  Hodge  probably  did  belong  to  one 
or  another  of  the  several  departments  into  which  the 
.Calvinistic  school  is  divided;  or,  like  too  many  good 
men,  they  may  have  vacillated  between  the  different 
departments,  uncertain  which  contained  the  truth,  but 
taking  it  for  granted  that  truth  was  lodged  somewhere 
or  somehow  in  the  school  itself.  But  they  certainly  did 
not  belong  to  that  grade  of  Calvinists  which  would  make 
God  the  efficient  cause  of  sin,  array  his  secret  will 
against  his  revealed  word,  destroy  man's  free  agency 

•DaT.  ffis.,  p.228. 

32 


878  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

and  accountability,  put  an  excuse  into  the  heart  of  the 
impenitent  sinner,  and  damn  a  large  portion  of  our 
unhappy  race,  for  their  sins  committed  according  to 
the  eternal  purpose.  No  indeed !  Their  lives,  their 
labors,  and  all  that  is  known  of  their  instructions  in 
public  and  private,  prove  this  beyond  the  shadow  of  a 
doubt.  Nothing  need  be  said  of  Rankin,  who  afterwards 
disgraced  himself  and  the  old  Presbyterian  church,  as 
he  would  have  done  any  other  with  which  he  might 
have  been  connected.  Still,  it  is  not  known  that  he 
ever  belonged  to  any  other,  until  h^,  Avith  several  other 
ministers  of  the  same  church,  shamefully  apostatized  and 
joined  the  Shakers ;  not  one  of  them  ever  belonged  to 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  body. 

But  what  of  McGee  ?  Why  he  has  been  declared 
"  decidedly  Arminian."  What  more  need  be  said 
of  him  ?  Yet  when  the  new  Cumberland  Presbytery 
"was  about  to  be  constituted,  strange  and  unaccountable 
as  his  former  statement  may  appear,  the  same  writer 
unflinchingly  says,  "  McGee  was  in  a  pitiable  state 
of  indecision,  believing  that  the  truth  lay  somewhere 
between  Calvinism  and  Arminianism,  but  unable  to 
frame  a  system  satisfactory  to  himself."  *  The  two 
statements,  Avhen  compared,  seem  in  some  manner  to 
conflict.  Unless  it  can  be  shown  that  Mr.  McGee, 
from  a  position  "  decidedly  Arminian,"  after  a  few 
years,  fell  into  this  "  pitiable  state  of  indecision,"  plain 
people  will  be  apt  to  see  a  contradiction,  and  perhaps 
doubt  which  statement  to  beUeve.     And  suppose  his 

•  Dav.  His.,  p.  252. 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  879 

fail  could  be  fairly  shown,  it  would  be  interesting  to  be 
informed  how  a  Presbyterian  minister,  after  having 
become  "  decidedly  Arminian,"  should  fall  into  "  a 
pitiable  state  of  indecision."  "Was  it  by  means  of 
Crai;^head's  clamors  f  n-  orthodoxy  and  order,  in  opposing 
the  revival  ?  or  by  Balch's  ridicule  against  repentance, 
faith,  and  regeneration  ?  or  was  it  by  any  of  Lyle's 
sermons,  three  houi-s  long,  on  the  divine  purpose  ?  No 
explanation  is  offered.  All  is  shrouded  in  darkness. 
But  the  whole  mystery  is  solved,  by  bringing  out  the 
fact  that  Mr.  McGee  joined  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterians after  their  separate  organization,  incurring 
equally  with  them  the  displeasure  of  the  mother  church : 
Hence,  the  stigma  of  decided  Arminianism  cast  upon 
them  must,  if  possible,  be  made  to  attach  to  him  also. 
But  to  charge  him  with  this  in  1803,  and  be  compelled  to 
acknowledge  his  indecision  in  1810,  without  accounting 
for  so  strange  a  thing,  is  to  make  an  admission  which 
disproves  the  charge.  And  candor  will  even  question 
the  truth  of  the  charge  against  those  who  are  super- 
ciliously styled  "  the  whole  troop  of  exhorters,"  who 
had  excepted  to  fatality.  This  is  not  the  first  time  that 
the  statements  of  history  have  contradicted  themselves, 
having  been  derived  from  prejudiced  sources. 

The  more  the  attentive  reader  shall  examine  and 
compare  what  is  said  of  the  doctrinal  sentiments  of  these 
men,  in  different  parts  of  his  history,  the  more  will  he 
desire  to  discover  what  are  Dr.  Davidson's  real  views  as 
•well  of  Calvinism  as  of  Arminianism.  These  inquiries 
will  naturally  arise :    what  are  the  lines  of  demarkatioa 


880  REVIEW   OF  DAVIDSON-. 

between  the  two  systems  ?  If  they  agree  in  any  thing 
and  differ  in  any  thing,  what  are  the  points  of  agreement 
and  what  of  difference  ?  Now  Presbyterians  of  every 
class  and  order  unhesitatingly  admit  that,  in  Calvinism, 
there  are  some  doctrines  which  are  not  only  true,  but  so 
acknowledged  by  Arminians  themselves  ;  that  there  are 
other  doctrines  which  are  confessedly  true,  but  denied 
by  Arminians ;  and  there  are  other  doctrines  still  which 
are  not  only  denied  by  Arminians,  but  have  early  and 
late  been  subjects  of  warm  discussion  among  Calvinists 
themselves.  Where,  in  this  controversy  of  Calvinists 
among  themselves,  does  our  historian  stand  ?  A  man 
of  his  great  learning  ought  to  know,  and  a  man  of  his 
amiable  frankness  ought  to  show  his  true  doctrinal  position. 
He  must  not  be  supposed  one  of  those  who,  when  hard 
pressed  by  an  opponent — no  matter  whether  of  the 
Calvinistic  or  any  other  school  —  is  ready  to  flee  from 
one  strong  hold  after  another  as  he  finds  each  of  them 
indefensible,  until  he  is  found  to  have  temporarily 
occupied  them  all,  but  successfully  defended  none.  In 
whatever  bastion  of  the  Calvinistic  fortification  he  has 
made  his  own  lodgement,  this  doubtless  he  feels  able 
to  defend. 

But  still  it  must  be  matter  of  surprise  that  one  of  his 
acuteness  of  intellect,  who  understands  himself  so  well, 
should  not  be  more  correct  as  well  as  consistent  in  giving 
the  doctrinal  views  of  others,  about  whom  his  fluent  pen 
has  divulged  so  much.  The  founders  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  church  are,  by  him,  generally  styled 
Arminians.     Mr.  McGrcady  is  declared  to  have  been 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSOX,  381 

"a  Calvinist  of  the  old  school."*     Still  it  is  admitted 
that  his  "  name  was  intimately  associated  with  the  early 
history  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians ;  and  who  is 
still  venerated  by  them  as  one  in  sentiment,  and  the 
patriarch  of  their  order."f     Are  Cumberland  Presbyte- 
rians, who  are  denounced  as  Arminians,  one  in  senti- 
ment with  a  Calvinist  of  the  old  school  ?     Or  is  there 
no  difference  between  Calvinists  and  Arminians  ?    These 
conflicting  statements  are  calculated,  though  doubtless 
not  intended,  to  distract  and  perplex  the  reader,  and 
must  increase  his  anxiety  to  ascertain  the  ivTiereahouts 
of  him  who  makes  them.     The  nearest  approach  which 
he  makes  to  any  thing  by  which  his  own  position  may  be 
apparently  inferred,  is  found  in  the  conclusion  of  his 
sketch  of  McGready,  as  follows :     "  His  orthodoxy  is 
apparent  from  his  clear  acknowledgments  and  vindica- 
tion of  the  doctrines  of  imputation,  the  federal  headship 
of  Christ,  election,  the  agency  of  the  Spirit  in  the  new 
birth,  and  the  impotency  of  moral  suasion. "J     He  has 
not  shown  in  what  sense  these  doctrines  constitute  ortho 
doxy,  nor  whether  they   can   be   understood  in  more 
senses  than  one ;  but  if  these   are  the  true  tests  of 
orthodoxy,  the  world  will  never  cease  to  wonder  how 
those  who  adopted  the  Confession  of  Faith,  with  the  single 
exception  of  fatality,  could  be  reprobated  as  Arminian 
or  heterodox.     The  suspicion  arises  that  these  tests  were 
intended  to  bear  upon  "  the  New  School  schism,"  rather 
than  "  the  Cumberland."     However,  his  own  position  is 
still  undefined. 

»  Par.  His.,  p.  343.  t  lb.  p.  259.  X  Va.  p.  262. 


382  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSftN. 

High  eulogies  are  often  pronounced  on  CaUinism, 
even  bj  those  who  appear  to  know  but  httle  of  the 
system.  Its  praises  are  sweetly  sung  by  those  who  are 
move  skilled  in  concealing,  than  defending  its  ol  jection- 
able  doctrines.  In  the  social  circle,  by  a  skillful 
elucidation  of  the  doctrines  of  imputation  and  the  final 
perseverance  of  the  saints,  it  can  put  on  an  upright, 
downright,  and  outright  Cumberland  dress.  And  even 
in  the  pulpit  it  can  present  as  perfect  a  resemblance  of 
Cumberlandism,  as  any  daguerreotypist  ever  took  of  ihe 
human  countenance.  Much,  however,  depends  on  the 
skill  of  the  artist.  But  the  fact  will  not  be  denied,  that 
very  many  contend  that  there  is  no  difference  between 
Old  School,  and  Cumberland  Presbyterian  doctrines. 
And  not  a  few  of  the  former  stoutly  deny  that  their 
system  at  all  embraces  those  doctrines  to  which  the 
latter  so  strenuously  object :  or  if  it  once  did,  it  does 
not  now. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  give  a  little  attention  to 
one  of  the  eulogies  on  Calvinism,  pronounced  by  the 
historian,  by  way  of  contrast  with  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Confession  of  Faith  adopted  in  1814. 
His  intellectual  furnace  glows  and  scintillates  as 
follows  : 

"  Calvinism  is  a  complete  and  compact  system,  and, 
as  in  a  well-constructed  arch,  every  separate  doctrine 
is  a  keystone,  which  cannot  be  abstracted  without 
endangering  the  whole.  As  from  the  foot  we  may  infer 
the  proportions  of  a  statue,  or  reproduce  a  Saurian 
from  its  fossil  fragments,  so  each  sintrle  doctrine  of  the 


REVIETT  OF  DAVIDSON.  883 

Calvinistic  scheme  naturally  and  necessarily  involves 
the  adoption  of  all  the  rest.  Forgetful  or  unconscious 
of  this  truth,  they  (the  Cumberland  Synod)  endeavored, 
in  the  altered  edition  of  the  Confession  and  Catechisms, 
to  steer  a  middle  course  between  Calvinism  and  Armin- 
ianism,  (if  a  middle  course  there  can  be ;)  rejecting  the 
doctrines  of  eternal  reprobation,  limited  atonement,  and 
special  grace,  and  maintaining  that  the  Spirit  of  God 
operates  on  the  world,  or  co- extensively  with  the  atone- 
ment, so  as  to  leave  all  men  inexcusable."  * 

No  one,  acquainted  with  the  lights  and  shades  of 
Calvinism,  and  the  various  sects  into  which  its  votaries 
are  divided  and  subdivided,  can  go  through  the  above 
extract  without  a  smile.  It  is  not,  however,  intended 
as  an  effusion  of  pleasantry  ;  but  is  uttered  in  solemn 
earnest,  as  the  meed  of  praise,  due  to  Calvinism  in  all 
truth  and  verity.  It  certainly  is  calculated  to  excite 
the  humorous  propensities  of  any  one,  who  has  made 
much  advancement  in  theology,  and  may  occasion  no 
little  speculation,  with  regard  to  the  particular  grade  or 
degree  of  Calvinism  which  is  here  so  highly  extolled. 
It  is  presumable  that  the  historian,  when  he  hymned 
these  praises,  intended  them  to  enure  to  the  honor  of 
his  own  sect,  and  expe  Ad  all  the  other  sects  pronouncing 
Sliihholeth  with  any  degree  of  Calvinistic  -exactitude,  to 
respond  in  solemn  symphony  or  join  in  high  chorus,  each 
with  what  gusto  he  could.  And  doubtless  he  would 
invite  all  to  repose  under  his  "  well-constructed  arch," 
who    can  recognize  the   one  predestinarian  "  keystone 

•  Davifl.-ion's  History,  page  256. 


S84  REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON. 

which  cannot  be  abstracted  without  endangering  the 
whole,"  and  he  might  allow  any  one  to  worship  before 
his  "  statue  "  who  is  willing  to  bow  submissively  at  its 
"foot."  , 

The  truth  is,  it  requires  a  wiser  man  than  Solomon  to 
tell  what  Calvinism  really  is.  Few  can  agree  in  what 
it  ought  to  be.  Learned  doctors  of  the  system,  war 
against,  and  worry  each  other  about  it,  crying  lo,  here ! 
lo,  there  !  and  lo,  any  where,  except  with  their  oppo- 
nents. No  house  is  more  divided  against  itself;  no 
kingdom  more  vexed  and  torn  by  rebellions  and  usurpa- 
tions. It  would  be  superfluous  to  refer  to  the  various 
contests  of  Calvinism,  since  the  time  of  Augustine,  or 
even  during  the  last  half  century.  Very  lately  Dr. 
Hodge,  of  Princeton,  and  Professor  Park,  of  Andover, 
were  in  close  conflict,  while  Dr.  Lord,  of  Dartmouth 
College,  volunteered  a  pamphlet  zealously  setting  forth 
his  opinions.  When  the  honest  historian  dreams  that 
"  each  single  doctrine  of  the  Calvinistic  scheme  natu- 
rally and  necessarily  involves  the  adoption  of  all  the 
rest,"  he  does  but  imagine  vain  things.  Let  him  try 
the  experiment,  and  see  how  many  individuals  he  can 
find,  who,  being  accustomed  tot,^ii3c  for  themselves  and 
capable  of  investigating  the  npct,  shall  agree  with 
him  in  the  number,  forui,  aW^  magnitude  of  those 
notable  keystones  which  compose  his  "  well-constructed 
arch."  Like  some  othensancongruities  which  held  their 
place  for  a  time,  the  .system  l^as  been  so  battered, 
tattered,  and  torn  in  pieces,  ^it  it  would  be  utterly 
impossible    to    "  reproduce    a    Saurian    from   its   fossil 


BEVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON.  385 

fragments,"  strewed  by  Calvinistic  gladiators,  over  the 
whole  arena  of  theological  discussion. 

While  Calvi-aism  embodies  certain  precious  doctrines 
which  ever  have  been,  and  ever  will  be,  dear  to  pious 
hearts  ;  it  comprises  also  Avhat  some  regard  as  palpable 
absurdities.  For  the  sake  of  the  former,  many  well 
,  meaning  persons  endure  the  latter  with  a  patience  and 
^  composure  worthy  of  a  better  cause.  All  acknowledge 
'  that  there  is  much  good  in  the  system ;  and  the  only 
controversy  is,  with  regard  to  the  nature  and  extent  of 
the  evil.  Hence  its  votaries  seem  to  have  racked  their 
inventions  incessantly  to  find  out  what  palliatives  could 
be  applied  to  the  evils  of  the  system;  and  it  has  under- 
gone so  many  modifications,  that,  in  speaking  of  a  Cal- 
vinist,  no  man  can  tell  what  he  does  believe,  further  than 
that  predestination  may  be  the  polar  star  of  his  creed  : 
with  the  eyes  of  Argus  or  the  lynx  it  is  impossible  to 
discern  any  other  keystone  in  the  whole  arch. 

It  is  unnecessary  to  notice  all  the  various  questions  that 
have  arrayed  Calvinists  in  fierce  strife  among  themselves. 
Among  the  most  prominent  are  the  few-which  follow: 
•1,  Whether  God  is  the  eflScient  cause  of  moral  evil,  or 
the  real  author  of  sin  ?*     2.  Whether  his  introduction 


,  *Tlie  affirmative  of^(|Hquestion  is  fairly  and  logically  dcducible 
'ffom  premises,  unequivoSilly  laid  down  in  their  Confession  of  Faith. 
For  when  it  is  stated  that  God  hath  fore-ordained  whatsoever  comes  to 
pass  —  it  being  admitted  that  sin  lias  come  to  pass  —  it  will  inevitably 
follow  that  God  hath  fore-ordainOT^n.  And  since  God  is  the  efficient 
cause  of  whatever  he  eternally  purposed  and  fore-ordained,  there  is 
no  escape  from  the  conclusion,  that  God  is  the  efficient  cause  or 
author  of  sin.     While  some  Calvinists,  admitting  the  premises,  strive 


386  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

of  Sin  is  for  the  greatest  good  ?  3.  "Whether  man  is  a 
free  agent,  having  the  power  of  choice  ?  *     4.  Whether 

hard  to  evade  the  conclusion ;  others,  gifted  with  more  candor  or 
more  logical  acumen,  acknowledge  tlie  whole  to  be  legitimate  and 
indisputable.  A  weekly  fieriodical,  the  Boston  Telegraph,  speaking 
of  the  charge,  that  Calvinism  makes  God  the  author  of  sin,  discourses 
as  follows : 

"  The  word  author  is  sometimes  used  to  mean  efficient  cause.  Now 
I  am  willing  to  admit  that  those  scriptures  which  teach  that  God  has 
decreed  the  sinful  conduct  of  men,  do  imply,  that  he  is  the  efficient 
cause  of  moral  evil.  For  his  own  glory  and  the  greatest  good  he 
said,  let  there  be  sin,  and  there  was  siu  ! ! !  "  See  Dr.  Fiske's  Cal. 
Con.  page  94. 

But  the  admission,  that  God  is  the  efficient  cause  of  moral  evil  or 
the  real  author  of  sin,  does  by  no  means  arrest  the  family  controversy. 
It  is  readily  seen  that  to  judge  of  the  character  of  the  author  by  his 
■work  or  to  estimate  the  efficient  cause  by  the  effects  produced  —  as  a 
tree  is  known  by  its  fruit  or  a  fountain  by  its  streams  —  would  seem 
to  deny  the  holiness  of  the  divine  character.  Hence  has  arisen  the 
second  question,  above  stated,  which  has  been  boldly  affirmed  by 
some  and  as  strenuously  denied  by  others :  Whether  his  introduction 
of  sin  is  for  the  greatest  good  ?  The  affirmants  allege,  that  in  con- 
sequence of  sin,  God  provided  the  atonement  which  brings  the  highest 
glory  to  his  name  :  forgetting  that  it  is  wrong  to  do  evil  that  good 
may  come,  and  it  is  impossible  that  a  Being  who  cannot  lie,  should 
resort  to  unholy  means  for  the  accomplishment  of  holy  ends. 

*  Dr.  Taylor  and  numerous  followers  of  the  New  Divinity  are 
understood  to  maintain  that  the  agency  of  man  is  not  only  free  but 
independent;  and  that  his  mind  originates  thought  and  volition. 
This  is  entirely  at  antipodes  with  another  Calvinistic  theory  of  the 
periodical  last  quoted,  given  by  Dr.  Fiske,  page  95,  as  follows  :  "  If 
any  man  affirms  that  man  really  chooses,  and  that  his  acts  of  will  are 
caused  by  his  own  free,  voluntary  and  efficient  mind,  then  he  is  no 
Calvinist."  Other  Calvinists  contend  that  these  and  similar  doctrines 
"  confound  right  and  wrong,  and  subvert  all  moral  distinctions ; "  that 
if  carried  out  in  their  legitimate  consequences,  they  would  lead  to 
Universalism,  Deism  or  Atheism.     Let  a  single  sorites  be  applied  to 


REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON.  38Y 

the  atonement  and  the  operations  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
are  limited  to  the  elect  only  ?     5.  Whether  men  have 

the  dogma  of  Calvinism,  to  which  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians 
have  all  along  objected,  supposing  it  to  contain  the  idea  oi fatality. 

If  God  hath  fore-ordained  whatsoever  comes  to  pass,  he  hath  fore- 
ordained all  the  temptations,  volitions  and  actions  of  men; 

If  God  hath  fore-ordained  all  the  temptations,  volitions  and 
actions  of  men,  men  must  be  by  fatal  necessity  subjected  to  their 
control ; 

If  men  are  by  fatal  necessity  subject  to  the  control  of  temptations, 
volitions  and  actions,  fore-ordained  by  God,  men  are  not  free, 
accountable  agents ; 

If  not  free,  accountable  agents,  they  are  neither  guilty  nor  innocent ; 

If  neither  guilty  nor  innocent,  they  have  no  moral  character ; 

If  they  have  no  moral  character,  they  are  incapable  of  either  sin 
or  holiness ; 

If  they  are  incapable  of  either  sin  or  holiness,  they  are  not  fit 
subjects  for  either  rewards  or  punishments  ; 

If  they  are  not  fit  subjects  for  either  rewards  or  punishments,  the 
Bible  is  fiilse,  and  revealed  religion  a  fable  ; 

If  the  Bible  is  false,  and  revealed  religion  a  fable,  it  is  a  vain  thing 
to  serve  the  God  of  revelation. 

This  is  what  logicians  call  the  "  argianentum  ad  absurdum,"  or  the 
reasoning  from  a  disputed  premise  to  show  their  absurdity ;  and 
indeed  it  does  show  that  this  dogma  of  Galvanism,  carried  out  in  its 
legitimate  consequences,  inevitably  leads  to  the  vilest  infidelity.  It 
is  therefore  false.  But  when  reversed  into  what  may  be  termed  an 
'■•  argumentnm  ad  venan,'''  or  the  reasoning  from  an  acknowledged 
premise  to  the  truth,  it  utterly  demolishes  the  dogma  in  question. 
Let  us  begin  with  the  acknowledged  truth  that  it  is  not  a  vain  thing 
to  serve  the  God  of  revelation,  as  in  the  following : 

If  it  is  not  a  vain  thing  to  serve  the  God  of  revelation,  the  Bible  is 
true,  and  revealed  religion  no  fable ; 

If  the  Bible  is  true,  and  revealed  religion  no  fable,  men  are  fit 
subjects  for  either  rewards  or  punishments  ; 

If  men  are  fit  sul  jects  for  either  rewards  or  punishments,  they  are 
capable  of  either  sin  or  holiness ; 


388  REVIEW    OP    DAVIDSON. 

natural  ability  to  repent,  believe  and  obey  the  gospel  ? 
6.  Whether  all  sin  consists  in  moral  exercise  ?  7. 
Whether  men  are  bound  to  convert  themselves  ?  These 
are  a  few  of  the  many  controverted  questions  among 
acknowledged  Calvinists.  Now  how  a  learned  and 
pious  man,  in  the  middle  of  the  nineteenth  century,  can, 
in  view  of  so  many  antagonisms,  talk  of  a  "  complete 
and  compact  system,"  and  assert  that  "  each  single 
doctrine  of  the  Calvinistic  scheme  naturally  and  neces- 
sarily involves  the  adoption  of  all  the  rest,"  is  astonish- 
ing and  inexplicable. 

Certainly  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  were  "  for- 
getful or  unconscious  of  this  truth  ^^ — that  is  the  bril- 
liant portraiture,  ah-eady  given,  of  Calvinism  —  and 
with  the  Bible  in  their  hands,  it  is  probable  they  will 
ever  remain  so.  They  could  not  assent  to  the  doctrine 
of  eternal  predestination  which  they  thought  equivalent 
to  fatality/,  dishonoring  to  a  holy  God  and  ruinous  to 

If  they  are  capable  of  either  sin  or  holiness,  they  have  moral 
character ; 

If  they  have  moral  character,  they  are  either  guilty  or  innocent ; 

If  they  are  either  guilty  or  innocent,  they  are  free,  accountable 
agents ; 

If  they  are  free,  accountable  agents,  they  are  not  by  fatal  necessity 
Eubjected  to  the  control  of  temptations,  volitions  and  actions,  fore- 
ordained by  God ; 

If  they  are  not  by  fatal  necessity  subjected  to  the  control  of  temp- 
tations, volitions  and  actions,  fore-ordained  by  God,  God  hath  not 
fore-ordained  them ; 

If  God  hath  not  fore-ordained  all  the  temptations,  volitions  and 
actions  of  men,  he  hath  not  fore-ordained  whatsoever  comes  to 
pass. 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  389 

precious  souls.  Their  "  bolder  step"  consisted  in  think- 
ing for  themselves,  obeying  the  dictates  of  their  own 
consciences,  reading  and  interpreting  the  scriptures 
according  to  the  light  and  grace  vouchsafed  to  their 
prayers  and  investigaciDUS,  and  i*ejecting  a  time-honored 
doctrine  which  appeared  to  them  no  less  than  an  odious 
absurdity,  sustained  only  by  a  few  venerable  advocates 
and  a  false-named  human  philosophy.  Therefore  they 
did  adopt  for  themselves,  and  publish  to  the  world  an 
"  altered  edition  of  the  Confession  and  Catechism," 
*'  rejecting  the  doctrines  of  eternal  reprobation,*  limited 
atmiement,"  f  "  and  maintaining  that  the  Spirit  of  God 

*  Nothing  can  be  found  in  the  Bible,  when  fairly  interpreted,  to 
sustain  so  vile  a  caricature  of  the  God  of  love ;  and  it  is  matter  of 
profound  astonishment  and  wonder  that  men  professing  godliness 
should  ever  conceive,  especially  that  any  church  should  really  adopt, 
so  great  a  blasphemy  against  the  Holy  One. 

t  This  doctrine  was  rejected,  because  it  is  plainly  and  palpably  con- 
tradicted by  the  word  of  God.  "  For  there  is  one  God,  and  one  media- 
tor between  God  and  men,  the  man,  Christ  Jesus,  who  gave  himself 
a  ransom  for  all."  1  Tim.  ii,  5,  6.  "  And  he  is  the  propitiation  for 
our  sins :  and  not  for  ours  only,  but  also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole 
world,"  1  John  ii,  2.  See  also  Heb.  ii,  9,  and  numerous  other 
passages. 

The  historian  adds  to  these  rejected  doctrines,  that  of  special  grace. 
If  he  means  any  special  grace  whereby  "  some  men  and  angels  are 
predestinated  unto  everlasting  life,  and  others  foreordained  to  ever- 
lasting death,"  he  is  right :  tliey  do  reject  this  doctrine.  But  if  he 
means  the  grace  of  God  vouchsafed  to  the  "  elect  according  to  the 
foreknowledge  of  God  tlie  Father,  through  the  sanctification  of  the 
Spirit,"  he  is  entirely  wrong :  they  acknowledge  this.  The  Camber- 
land  Presbyterians  believe  the  people  of  God  enjoy  his  special  grace 
in  their  pardon,  justification,  adoption,  sanctification  and  perseverance 
unto  eternal  life. 


390  REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON. 

operates  on  the  world,  or  co-extensively  with  the  atone- 
ment, so  as  to  leave  all  men  inexcusable." 

And  was  it  not  their  right  thus  to  do  ?  Who  has  the 
effront^^rj  to  question  the  right  and  privilege  of  a  body 
of  Christians  to  profess  their  faith  and  publish  a  summary 
of  their  doctrines  ?  The  Pope  thought  Luther's  a  bold 
step.  So  thought  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  with  regard 
to  the  rejection  of  a  doctrine  which  some  profess,  but 
none  can  pi'ove  to  be  true.  But  the  world  has  dis- 
covered that  Popes  and  Synods  are  not  infallible. 

With  great  respect  and  reverence  for  the  Presbyterian 
church,  her  enlightened  Zealand  laudable  efforts  in  behalf 
of  missions,  education,  and  practical  piety  —  abounding 
as  she  seems  in  almost  every  good  word  and  work  —  the 
Cumberlajid  Presbyterians  cannot  subscribe  to  a  doctrine 
•which  employs  God's  sovereignty  in  bringing  to  pass  all 
unrighteousness,  and  subjects  man's  agency  to  absolute 
decrees,  equivalent  to  the  laws  of  fate.  And  let  it  not  be 
thought  unpardonable  presumption  to  differ  in  one  impor- 
tant respect,  from  those  worthies  who  lived  in  the  twilight 
of  the  reformation,  whose  opinions  have  been  stereotyped 
and  handed  down  to  posterity,  in  their  otherwise  excellent 
writings  and  in  Confessions  of  Faith.  Having  just 
emerged  from  a  long  night  of  intellectual  and  spi- 
ritual darkness  —  during  which  magic  instead  of  physics, 
alchemy  instead  of  chemistry,  astrology  instead  of 
astronomy,  papal  superstition  instead  of  the  religion  of  the 
Bible,  swayed  more  or  less  the  minds  of  the  learned  in 
Christendom  —  it  is  not  strange  that  the  mental  vision 
of  those  great  and  good  men  should  have  been  rather 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  391 

too  beclouded  to  discern  and  expel  every  absurdity  from 
their  system,  otherwise  scriptural.  It  is  rather  surpris- 
ing that  so  little  alloy  is  found  in  union  with  the  golden 
mass  Avhich,  at  the  time  and  under  the  circumstances, 
they  dug  from  the  almost  unexplored  mine  of  revealed 
truth. 

While  Cumberland  Presbyterians  contend  that  truth 
is  ever  the  same,  and  not,  like  the  human  sciences, 
susceptible  of  improvements,  since  no  new  revelation  is 
■expected,  they  do  not  suppose  that  human  expounders 
have  arrived  at  perfection  in  scriptural  exegesis  and 
systematic  theology.  Christians  should  never  feel  bound 
to  tread  servilely  in  the  track  of  the  masters  of  former 
•centuries;  nor  should  they  adopt  the  sentiments  of 
men,  however  wise  and  good,  further  than  these  are 
sustained  by  the  word  of  God.  It  is  Popery,  and  not 
Protestantism  which  bhndly  believes  what  the  fathers 
teach,  excluding  investigation.  It  is  the  church  of 
Kome  which  makes  the  ghostly  confessor  the  keeper  of 
men's  consciences,  while  the  Church  of  Christ  acknow- 
ledges no  infallible  expounders  of  the  revealed  word. 
Hence,  all  the  censures  and  all  the  sophisms  which  Old 
School  Presbyterians  may  choose  to  apply  to  that 
*' bolder  step"  —  the  adoption  of  an  altered  Confession 
of  Faith  —  will  fall  with  equal  force  and  heaviness  on 
Luther,  Calvin,  Knox,  and  other  Reformers. 

A  degree  of  modesty  would  become  those  who 
complain  of  the  rejection  of  eternal  predestination,  a 
doctrine  which  they  can  never  defend,  and  seldom 
midertake  to  maintain  in  these  latter  days.     And  were 


392  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

that  doctrine  now  expounded  and  enforced  in  their 
churches  as  fully  and  frequently  as  it  was  fifty  years 
ago,  it  is  believed  they  would  be  left  with  but  very  few 
hearers.  This  must  be  obvious  to  all  observers,  since 
Eible  and  Tract  societies  have  so  widely  diffused  their 
benign  blessing  ;  and  revivals  of  religion  have  prompted 
to  the  more  general  reading  of  the  scriptures,  there  can 
be  found  but  few  plain,  Bible  readers  who  do  not  reject 
the  doctrine  of  eternal  predestination,  as  unsound, 
unscriptural,  and  revolting  to  pious  hearts. 

South  and  west  of  New  England,  the  Presbyterians 
have  enjoyed  advantages  for  usefulness  and  church 
extension,  far  superior  to  all  other  denominations  in 
the  United  States.  The  common  prejudices  against  a 
union  of  Church  and  State  did  not  aifect  them  as  they 
did  the  Episcopalians.  Their  form  of  government 
being  in  the  strictest  harmony  with  the  republican 
institutions  of  the  country,  they  were  rightly  considered 
as  identified  with  its  true  interests.  They  have,  for  the 
most  part,  maintained  a  body  of  pious,  talented,  and 
learned  clergy.  Their  people  generally  have  been 
remarkable  for  their  strictness  in  the  support  of  family 
religion,  the  pious  training  of  children,  the  observanc-e  ' 
of  the  Sabbath,  and  all  the  institutions  of  the  gospel.  In 
sobriety,  morality,  and  all  the  virtues  necessary  to  good 
citizenship  and  usefulness  to  society,  they  are  scarcely  | 
excelled  by  any  other. 

With  all  these  advantages  and  the  current  of  public 
sentiment  strongly  in  their  favor,  there  was  a  time  when 
they  might  have  been  expected  to  build  up  an  interest 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  393 

and  an  influence  much  more  extensive  and  powerful 
than  all  the  other  denominations  put  together,  which 
then  scarcely  had  a  name,  but  few  places  of  worship, 
and  were  struggling  to  obtain  a  foothold.  Why  has  not 
our  beloved  country  realized  this  hope  of  Presbyterian 
promise  ?  Why  have  the  Baptists  and  Methodists,  wlio 
till  lately  had  comparatively  but  few  learned  ministers, 
outstripped  them  so  remarkably  in  their  amount  of 
influence  acquired,  and  church  extension  accomplished  ?* 
But  one  answer  can  be  given,  and  impartial  investigation 
will  sustain  no  other :  the  Presbyterians  have  all  along 
maintained  —  however  much  they  may  have  endeavored 
to  palliate  or  conceal  —  the  doctrine  of  eternal  predes- 
tination. While  the  Methodists  have  uniformly  rejected 
this   doctrine,  as   spurious   and   revolting   to  common 

*  A  learned  Baptist  editor  in  Kentucky,  lately  placed  this  result 
to  tlic  account  of  the  Presbyterian  practice  of  infant  baptism,  and 
sagely  concluded  that  the  days  of  the  Presbyterian  church  in  that 
State  were  numbered,  and  she  was  verging  to  her  final  extinction. 
But  he  is  as  much  mistaken  in  his  designation  of  the  cause,  as  he  is 
in  his  prediction.  If,  when  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  separated, 
from  the  old  church,  the  clergy  of  the  latter  had  been  as  illiterate  as 
were  those  of  the  old  Baptist  church,  when  those  now  called  Mis- 
sionary Baptists  modified  certain  doctrines  and  set  up  for  themselves, 
the  results  in  both  the  old  churches  might  have  been  the  same,  as 
like  causes  produce  like  effects.  Surely  infant  baptism  had  nothing 
to  do  with  the  downward  course  of  the  old  Baptist  church.  Doubt- 
less the  cause  was  their  Antinomian  or  predestinarian  doctrine 
without  sufficient  learning  to  make  it  plausible.  There  is  respectable 
learning  among  the  Presbyterian  clergy,  and  though  they  have  to 
carry  the  grievous  weight  of  their  predestinarian  doctrine,  their 
church  shows  no  very  decided  evidences  of  speedy  extinction. 
Besides,  that  church  may  abandon  error,  as  that  editor's  and  the 
■writer's  have  doae 


894  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

sense ;  the  Baptists  at  the  west  generally,  are  under- 
stood to  have  abandoned  it,  about  thirty  or  forty  years 
ago.  It  is  ardently  hoped  and  as  confidently  predicted, 
that  the  piety  and  wisdom  of  the  mother  church  will 
gain  that  victory  over  her  pride  of  authority,  which 
will  enable  and  impel  her  to  abandon  an  error  which  is 
consuming  her  strength,  and  destroying  her  usefulness. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 
REVIEW     OF      DAVIDSON. 

His  unqualified  censures  of  the  reviTal  of  1800,  which  gave  birth  to  the  Cmnher- 
land  Presbyterian  church,  confounding  the  true  friends  and  promoters  of  that 
glorious  work,  with  the  Stoneites  or  New  Lights,  the  abettors  of  acknowledged 
heresy. 

All  may  have  noticed  something  of  the  earth's 
tremors  and  the  storm's  rage  ;  but  comparatively  few 
have  witnessed  those  "  earthquakes  which  swallow,  and 
tempests  which  sweep  towns  to  one  grave,  whole  nations 
to  the  deep."  It  is  just  so  with  party  spirit:  all  have 
seen  enough  to  deprecate  it  as  an  evil ;  but  by  no  means 
have  all  been  exposed  to  its  violence  and  called  to  mourn 
over  its  desolations.  And  when  it  enters  the  church, 
it  is  sometimes  not  less  remorseless  in  its  character,  nor 
less  mischievous  in  its  consequences,  than  elsewhere. 
However  painful  may  be  this  reflection,  ecclesiastical 
history  confirms  its  justness,  by  those  bitter  contentions 
and  boisterous  commotions  which  have  disturbed  and 
distracted  the  church  militant,  in  different  ages  and 
countries.  The  truth  is,  depraved  human  nature  is  the 
same  every  where,  its  violence  of  passion  the  same, 
except  when  held  in  check  by  circumstances,  restrained 
by  the  grace  of  God  or  controlled  for  good  by  his  over- 
ruling providence.     Ever  since  angels  fell,  there   has 


396  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

been  waged  a  continual  warfare  of  sin  against  holiness, 
darkness  against  light,  the  powers  of  hell  against  the 
God  of  heaven.  The  church,  built  upon  the  rock 
Christ  Jesus,  is  dear  to  him  as  the  apple  of  his  eye  ;  * 
and  his  people,  being  workers  together  with  him,  shall 
ultimately  prevail  against  the  mighty.  The  arch  enemy, 
aware  of  this,  and  knowing  his  time  is  short,  seeks  as 
far  as  possible  to  compensate  for  his  inevitable  destruc- 
tion, by  the  gratification  of  his  malice  in  annoying  the 
saints.  If  he  can  substitute  error  for  truth,  formalism 
for  spiritualty,  cold  and  heartless  speculations  for  pure 
and  undefiled  religion,  it  is  the  highest  achievement 
permitted  to  his  prowess.  He  knows  he  has  for  a 
season  power  to  bruise  but  not  break,  to  deceive  but  not 
destroy,  to  draw  aside  from  duty  but  not  drag  down  to 
the  jit.  And  when  he  can  array  ministers  and  members 
of  the  church  in  unholy  strife  among  themselves,  more 
or  less  of  his  own  work  is  performed  by  pious  hands, 
and  the  Saviour  wounded  in  the  house  of  his  friends. 
Or  if,  during  a  revival  of  religion,  when  the  Spirit  of 
God  is  striving  with  the  hearts  of  the  people,  the  enemy 
can  stir  up  the  self  deceived,  the  hypocrite,  and  the 
formalist  to  join  in  opposition  with  the  notorious  world- 
ling and  professed  infidel,  he  doubtless  promises  large 
accessions  to  his  kingdom,  from  the  souls  lost  through 
such  instrumentalities. 

These  reflections  naturally  occur,  on  considering  the 
causes  and  the  character  of  that  opposition  to  the  revival 
of  1800,  wliich  was  manifested  by  so  many  Presbyterian 

•  Zech.  ii,  8. 


REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSO>T.  89T 

ministers,  and  the  warfare  wbich  has  been  waged  from 
the  pulpit  and  the  press,  for  so  long  a  term  of  j-ears, 
against  its  friends  and  favorers.*  The  enemy  of  souls 
seems  to  have  stirred  up,  in  the  church  and  throughout 
the  country,  a  party  spirit,  as  uncomely  in  its  character 
as  desolating  in  its  effects ;  Avhich  will  be  a  subject  of 
regret  to  pious  hearts,  while  time  shall  last.  All  who 
are  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  Britain  and  America,  her  piety,  zeal,  labors, 
sacrifices  and  sufferings  in  behalf  of  truth  and  holiness, 
will  wonder  how  any  considerable  number  of  the  ministers 
of  that  denomination  could  array  themselves  in  oppo- 
sition to  a  revival  of  religion.  These  inquiries  will 
naturally  arise  in  their  minds  :  Have  not  Presbyterians, 
from  their  origin,  zealously  favored  revivals  ?  Do  they 
not  owe  to  these  their  existence  as  a  church  ?  To 
promote  them,  have  they  not  maintained  a  pious  and 
learned  ministry  ?  For  the  sake  of  these,  are  they  not 
very  strict  in  maintaining  family  religion,  and  in  training 
up  their  children  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the 
Lord  ?  In  aid  of  these,  by  a  general  diffusion  of 
religious  and  useful  knowledge,  have  they  not  distin- 
guished their  liberality  in  support  of  schools,  colleges, 
and  theological  seminaries  ?  To  foster  these,  are  they 
not  sustaining,  at  great  expense,  their  domestic  and 
foreign  missions  ?  And  on  these  do  they  not  rely  for 
the  conversion  of  the  world  ?  While  all  intelligent  men 
will  answer  these  questions  in  the  affirmative,  they  will 

*  The  reader  is  particularly  requested  here,  to  read  Mr.  McGready's 
Narrative  of  this  Revival,  in  Appendix,  marke(J  F. 


398  REVIEAV    OF    DAVIDSON. 

still  be  at  a  loss  to  know,  how  any  consistent  Presby- 
terian could  oppose  a  true  revival !  And  when  its 
genuineness  is  proved,  by  fairly  distinguishing  it  from 
the  excitement  under  Stone,  Marshall,  &c.,  they  will 
conclude,  either  that  its  opposers  were  not  consistent 
Presbyterians,  or  that  they  had  suffered  themselves  to 
be  deceived  with  regard  to  the  true  character  of  the 
work.  But  when  they  shall  have  become  convinced 
that  the  first  opposers  were  not,  and  that  they  deceived 
others  who  were,  orthodox  Presbyterians,  thereby  inducing 
them  to  join  in  unholy  opposition  ;  as  lovers  of  truth  and 
justice,  they  will  be  prepared  to  stamp,  with  due  repre- 
hension, the  ungenerous  attempt,  often  and  continually 
made,  to  confound  the  revival  in  which  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterians  had  their  origin,  with  another  excitement 
from  which  sprung  "  the  New  Light  schism."  And 
when  honest  men,  desirous  of  knowing  the  truth,  have 
advanced  thus  far,  they  must  see,  notwithstanding  the 
acts  of  Kentucky  Synod  —  as  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  has 
acknowledged  —  that  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians 
have  "  received  great  ecclesiastical  wrony^  * 

For  the  purpose  of  aiding  those  who  sincerely  desire 
to  know  the  truth  on  this  subject,  it  will  be  proper  to  show  : 

1.  That  the  revival  of  1800,  so  called,  was  a  genuine 
work  of  God. 

2.  That  some  of  the  ministers  opposing  it  were  not 
consistent  Presbyterians  ;  or  they  were  deceived  respect- 
ing its  character. 

*  Key.  Dr.  Ely,  of  Philadelphia. 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  399 

3.  That  it  is  to  be  distinguished  from  the  work  which 
resulted  in  "  the  New  Light  schism,"  so  called. 

4.  That  this  confounding  of  the  two  different  works 
probably  had  much  influence  on  the  proceedings  of 
Kentucky  Synod,  and  the  sanction  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

1.  The  revival  of  1800,  so  called,  was  a  genuine  work 
of  God.  Truth  is  the  instrument,  employed  by  the 
Spirit  of  God,  for  the  accomplishment  of  a  work  of 
grace.  Hence  our  blessed  Saviour,  praying  to  his  Father 
for  the  Apostles,  says :  "  Sanctify  them  through  thy 
truth."  *  In  judging  of  the  character  of  a  revival,  it  is 
important  to  know,  what  were  the  doctrines  preached, 
relied  on,  and  blessed  to  the  production  of  so  glorious  a 
result.  On  this  point,  the  testimony  of  Mr.  McGready 
is  full  and  satisfactory.  He  says :  "  The  doctrines  of 
Regeneration,  Faith  and  Repentance,  which  I  uniformly 
preached,  seemed  to  call  the  attention  of  the  people  to  a 
serious  inquiry."  There  never  was,  and  never  will  be, 
a  genuine  work  of  God,  where  these  precious  doctrines 
are  omitted,  or  do  not  occupy  a  prominent  place  in  the 
preaching  producing  it. 

An  evidence  of  the  genuineness  of  this  awakening  may 
also  be  taken,  from  Mr.  McGready's  account  of  the 
exercises  of  mind  among  its  subjects,  whether  they  were 
carnal,  self-deceived,  formal  members  of  the  church,  or 
had  hitherto  lived  as  infidels  and  impentinent  sinners. 

What  Mr.  McGready  has  testified,  concerning  those 
who  professed  religion  in  this  revival,  will  afford  a  very 

•John  xTii,  17. 


400  REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON. 

good  criterion  of  its  genuineness.  His  statement  is, 
"  that  among  tlae  great  numbers  in  the  country  that 
professed  to  obtain  religion,  I  scarcely  know  an  instance 
of  any  that  gave  a  comfortable  ground  of  hope  to  the 
people  of  God,  that  they  had  religion,  and  have  been 
admitted  to  the  privileges  of  the  church,  that  have,  in 
any  degree,  disgraced  their  profession,  or  given  us  any 
ground  to  doubt  their  religion."  If  the  tree  may  be 
known  by  the  fruit  it  bears,  and  the  character  of  the 
school  by  the  deportment  of  its  scholars ;  surely,  the 
genuineness  of  a  work  of  grace  may  be  tested  by  the 
unwavering  faith  and  consistent  lives  of  its  subjects. 
Since  the  doctrines,  instrumentally  producing  the  revival, 
"were  genuine ;  since  the  exercises  of  persons,  during 
their  transformation  from  darkness  to  light,  were  scrip- 
tural ;  and  since  the  lives  of  its  subjects  were  holy  ;  the 
fair  conclusion  is,  that  the  revival  itself  was  a  genuine, 
scriptural  and  holy  work. 

Dr.  George  Baxter,  of  Virginia,  after  visiting  Ken- 
tucky in  1801,  spending  a  month  in  attendance  on  the 
meetings  and  in  intercourse  with  the  leading  clergy, 
communicated  to  his  friend,  Dr.  Archibald  Alexander, 
the  results  of  his  observations  on  the  revival.  His 
letter  being  published,  his  favorable  views  of  the  revival 
were  controverted.  This  drew  from  him  a  warm 
defence.  And  notwithstanding  Dr.  Davidson,  in  a 
note,  informs  his  readers  that  Dr.  Baxter  afterwards 
changed  his  opinion,  and,  finding  the  New  York 
Evangelist  re-publishing  his  letter  in  support  of  new 
measures,  if  he  had  lived,  \fOuld   have  published  an 


REVIEW  or   DAVIDSON.  401 

explanation  of  his  views,  the  following  will  show  some 
of  his  views  at  the  time,  before  partj  spirit  had  reached 
its  height : 

"  On  my  way  to  Kentucky,"  says  Mr.  Baxter,  "  I 
was  infonned  by  settlers  on  the  road,  that  the  character 
of  Kerdiicky  travelers  was  entirely  changed  :  and  that 
they  were  now  as  remarkable  for  sobriety  as  they  had 
formerly  been  for  dissoluteness  and  immorahty.  And 
indeed  I  found  Kentucky,  to  appearances,  the  most 
moral  place  I  had  ever  seen.  A  profane  expression 
was  hardly  ever  heard.  A  religious  awe  seemed  to 
pervade  the  whole  country ;  and  some  deistical  charac- 
ters had  confessed,  that  from  whatever  cause  the  revival 
might  proceed,  it  made  the  people  belter.  Its  influence 
was  not  less  visible   in  promoting  a  friendly   temper 

among  the  people Some  neighborhoods  visited 

by  the  revival  were  formerly  notorious  for  private 
animosities  and  contentions  ;  and  many  petty  lawsuits 
had  commenced  on  that  ground.  When  the  parties  in 
these  quarrels  were  impressed  with  religion,  the  first 
thing  was  to  send  for  their  antagonists,  and  it  was  often 
very  afiecting  to  see  their  meeting.  They  had  both 
seen  their  faults,  and  both  contended  they  ought  to 
make  the  acknowledgments,  until  at  last  they  were 
obliged  to  request  one  another  to  forbear  all  mention  of 
the  past,  and  to  receive  each  other  as  friends  and 
brothers  for  the  future."  * 

The  above  contains  a  positive,  definite  statement  of 
matters  of  fact.     The  extract  bears  testimony  in  favor 

*  Quoted  by  Dr.  Dayidsoa  from  West.  Miss.  Msig. 

34 


402  B,EVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

of  the  revival,  and  is  indisputably  true.  No  one  can 
possibly  suppose  the  author  ever  would  have  denied  one 
particle  of  what  he  had  so  positively  and  truthfully 
asserted ;  or  that  he  could,  if  he  had  lived,  by  any 
means  nullify  or  fritter  away  what  he  had  testified  to 
the  genuineness  of  the  revival.  And  what  could  he 
have  explained  ?  Certainly  nothing  which  could  pre- 
sent his  statement  of  facts  in  any  diflferent  light,  but 
only  some  matters  of  opinion  wherein  his  mind  had 
changed.  And  what  might  these  be  ?  There  is  no 
way  of  conjecturing,  except  by  looking  at  the  circum- 
stances in  his  case.  And  what  are  these  ?  He  had 
never  been  connected  with  either  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyteries,  nor  with  the  Synod  of  Kentucky.  He 
had  never  opposed  the  revival,  nor  stirred  up  others  to 
oppose  it.  He  had  not  indulged  in  prejudice,  nor 
imbibed  party  spirit.  He  had  not  seen  younger  and 
less  learned  men  surpass  him  in  useful  labors,  and  rise 
above  him  in  the  affections  of  the  people,  nor  had  his 
clerical  pride  been  wounded  and  his  ambition  curbed. 
He  had  neither  acted  in,  nor  sanctioned,  any  unconsti- 
tutional proceedings  of  a  Commission  of  Synod  ;  and 
consequently  the  necessities  of  his  case  required  no 
effort  for  justification,  before  the  world,  by  confounding 
the  revival  of  1800,  so  called,  under  Mr.  McGready's 
preaching,  with  a  later  work  under  the  preaching  of 
Stone,  Marshall,  and  "  the  New  Lights."  Hence  it  is 
pi'obable — nay,  it  is  almost  certain  —  if  Dr.  Baxter 
had  lived  to  explaui,  that  he  would  have  made  the  true 
distinction,  and  awarded  that  justice  which  so  many  of 


REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON.  403 

Ms  brethren  have  long  withheld.  And  that  he  did  not 
live  to  explain,  if  this  inference  be  correct,  no  people 
on  earth  have  so  much  reason  to  lament  as  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  venerable  Dr.  Rice, 
after  attending  a  sacramental  meeting  in  the  region 
where  the  revival  was  in  progress,  and  witnessing  its 
genuine  character,  recommended  that  the  pious  and 
intelligent  young  men  should  be  licensed,  as  catechists 
and  traveling  exhorters,  in  order  that  the  destitutions 
of  the  country  might  be  better  supplied.  This  was  in 
October,  1801.  The  revival  had  commenced  under  the 
preaching  of  Mr.  McGready,  in  May,  1797.  Dr.  Rice 
must  have  been  aware  of  the  shameful  conduct  of  Balch, 
the  opposition  of  Craighead,  Bowman,  Donnell,  and 
Templin ;  he  must  have  been  acquainted  with  the  true 
history  and  character  of  a  revival  which  had  now  been 
in  progress  nearly  four  years  and  a  half,  within  the 
bounds  of  his  own  Presbytery ;  and  notwithstanding  all 
this,  he  recommended  the  very  measure  which  proved 
to  be  most  successful  in  fostering  and  carrying  on  the 
gracious  work.  This  he  never  could  have  done,  in 
behalf  of  a  spurious  revival.  And  though  it  has  been 
said  that  he  afterwards  changed  his  mind  and  opposed, 
his  opposition  never  partook  of  the  character  of  some 
others;  nor  can  it  be  shown  that  he  ever  was  hostile 
to  this  revival,  when  fairly  distinguished  from  that  of 
Stone,  Marshall,  and  the  New  Lights.  And  it  is  proper 
to  notice  his  sentiments,  after  party  spirit  had  done  its 
very  worst ;  after  opposition  had  exhausted  its  utmost 


404  REVIEW    OF    DAVII>SOIf. 

strength  ;  after  the  Commission  of  Kentucky  Synod  had 
perpetrated  its  unconstitutional  acts ;  after  justification 
had  been  sought  for  those  acts  by  confounding  the  two 
works,  differing  in  time  and  place  ;  after  the  good  man's 
ears  had  been  assailed  with  evil  reports,  and  his  eyes 
had  seen,  in  Upper  Kentucky,  things  which  he  con 
demned.  Even  as  late  as  1808,  he  did  not  condemn 
as  spurious  that  revival,  to  the  promotion  and  propa- 
gation of  which,  his  wise  counsels  had  so  essentially 
contributed.  For  at  this  time  he  addressed  the  Presby- 
terians of  Kentucky  on  the  subject,  as  follows :  — 

"  That  we  had  a  revival  of  the  spirit  and  power 
of  Qhristiayiity  amongst  us,  I  did,  do,  and  ever  shall 
believe,  until  I  see  evidence  to  the  contrary,  which  I 
have  not  yet  seen  ;  but  we  have  sadly  mismanaged  it ; 
we  ha.ve  dashed  it  down,  and  broken  it  in  pieces. 
Though  I  hope  a  number  will  have  reason  to  bless  Crod 
for  it  to  all  eternity,  yet  we  have  not  acted  as  wise 
master-builders,  who  have  no  need  to  be  ashamed."* 

These  stubborn  truths  from  the  pen  of  the  father  of 
the  Presbyterian  church  in  Kentucky,  must  have  called 
up  blushes  on  the  cheeks  of  all  the  opposers  ;  as  much 
of.  the  epistle  from  which  it  is  extracted  is  calculated  to 
rebuke  the  disorders  of  the  New  Lights,  and  all  other 
enthusiasts.  But  of  the  revival  itself,  he  says,  "  tve 
have  dashed  it  doivn,  and  broken  it  in  pieces  J^  Yes  : 
the  Commission  of  Synod  had  prohibited  nearly  all  the 
young  men,  whether  licensed  or  ordained,  whose  labors 
had  been  so  signally  blessed  to  its  promotion,  "  from 

*  Bishop's  Mem.  of  Dr.  Rice,  pp.  367.  869 


'       REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON.  405 

exhorting;,  preaching,  and  admim&tering  ordinances/' 
and  that,  too,  without  any  charge  of  heresy  or  immo- 
rality. And  notwithstanding  the  General  Assembly 
had  decided  that  the  insisting  on  the  young  men's 
re-examination,  the  suspension  of  the  young  men, 
licensed  and  ordained  ministers,  without  process,  and 
the  suspension  of  two  old  ministers  for  resisting  the 
re-examination,  were  "  at  least  of  questionable  regu- 
larity," the  Synod  of  Kentucky  had,  only  a  short 
time  before,  professedly  reviewed  their  irregular  pro- 
ceedings, re-aflSrmed  all  their  decisions,  denied  that  the 
young  preachers  had  been  suspended  at  all,  in  a 
technical  sense,  or  that  the  Commission  had  dealt  with 
them  without  process.  In  view  of  the  facts  and  records 
in  the  case,  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  had  thus  obstinately 
re-judged  their  own  acts,  and  somewhat  enigmatically 
decided  all  in  their  own  favor.  Well  might  Dr.  Rice,  in 
the  tenderness  of  his  heart,  say,  "  We  have  not  acted  as 
wise  viaster-huilders,  who  have  no  need  to  be  ashamedJ* 
Notwithstanding  his  too  great  reliance  on  the  views 
and  statements  of  his  party.  Dr.  Davidson,  with  his 
usual  candor,  speaks  of  the  revival  as  follows :  "  That 
it  was  attended  by  beneficial  consequences,  especially 
during  the  earlier  stages  of  its  progress,*  is  undeniable." 
Again  he  says, :  "  Besides  numerous  genuine  conver- 
sions doubtless  occurring  through  the  whole  course 
of  the  revival,  its  commencement  was  marked  with  a 
splendor  of  success   that   dazzled   while   it   enchanted 

*  That  may  be  before  its  opponents  confounded  it  with  the  New 
Light  extravagances  and  disorders. 


406  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

the  observer."  *  That  there  did  appear  some  errors, 
extravagances,  and  Instances  of  improper  conduct, 
which  were,  ever  will  be,  and  ever  ought  to  be,  subjects 
of  deep  regret  to  all  the  true  friends  of  the  revival ; 
and  that  these  prevailed  to  some  extent,  even  in  the 
Green  River  and  Cumberland  countries,  must  be 
admitted.  But  it  cannot  be  shown  that  the  leaders 
in  this  work  ever  cherished  these  errors  and  extrava- 
gances, or  made  them  the  evidences  of  a  change  of 
heart,  or  of  true  religion.  If  these  false  tests  were 
admitted  any  where  as  evidences  of  piety,  it  must 
have  been  among  the  New  Lights  of  upper  Kentucky. 
This  has  been  charged  against  them,  and  may  be  true. 
It  is  certain  that  the  evils  complained  of  prevailed  to 
a  much  greater  extent  where  these  people  operated, 
than  in  lower  Kentucky  and  Tennessee.  The  candid 
and  impartial  statement  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
1804,  in  a  Narrative  of  the  State  of  Religion,  will 
confirm  the  views  here  given. 

"  Although  through  the  subtlety  of  the  adversary  of 
souls,  and  the  influence  of  human  frailty,  some  errors, 
extravagances,  and  instances  of  reproachful  behavior, 
have  taken  place,  which  the  Assembly  do  sincerely 
regret,  and  most  unequivocally  disapprove  and  con- 
demn; yet  are  they  happy  to  learn,  and  it  is  a  sacred 
duty  which  they  owe  to  the  churches  to  announce  that, 
notwithstanding  the  malignity  with  which  the  enemies 
of  religion  have  studied  to  misrepresent,  and  rejoiced  to 
exaggerate  these  undesirable   events,  they  are  chiefly 

»  Dav.  ms.,  p.  185. 


EEVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON.  407 

k 

confined  to  one  district  of  no  great  extent ;  and  they 
are  certainly  very  rare,  considering  the  immense  region 
through  which  this  work  has  prevailed,  and  the  vast 
variety  of  characters  who  have  been  its  subjects." 
The  "  07ie  district  of  no  great  extent^''  to  which  the 
disorders  are  said  to  have  been  "  chiejiy  confined,^* 
would  seem  accurately  enough  to  designate  upper 
Kentucky,  where  at  the  time  Stone,  Marshall,  and  the 
New  Lights  bore  sway :  but  by  no  means  would  properly 
apply  to  the  Green  River  and  Cumberland  countries, 
through  both  of  which  the  revival  had  extended,  by  a 
blessing  on  the  labors  of  Ewing,  Anderson,  King, 
McLean,  Porter,  Foster,  Calhoun,  and  other  fathers  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  church. 

It  is  true  Dr.  Davidson  in  his  history  has  devoted  an 
entire  chapter  of  twenty-seven  pages,  to  the  "  extrava- 
gances and  disorders  attending  the  revival,"  in  which 
he  has  exhibited  scenes  and  incidents  suflBciently  dis- 
gusting to  satisfy  any  lover  of  the  marvelous  with  a 
depraved  taste.  It  is  true  he  has  received  a  very 
brotherly  correction  and  wholesome  rebuke,  through  the 
religious  papers,  from  Rev.  Dr.  Cleland,  of  Kentucky, 
who  advises  the  correction  of  errors  and  the  omission  of 
disgusting  scenes  in  his  next  edition.  But  these  errors 
and  representations,  remaining  uncorrected  and  unatoned 
for,  so  far  as  is  known,  it  may  be  proper  to  give-  them  a 
passing  notice,  and  inquire  from  what  sources  they  were 
derived. 

Much  that  is  painful  to  pious  hearts  is  derived  from 
one  Richard  McNemar,  of  the  State  of  Ohio,  a  noted 


408  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

errorist  and  wild  enthusiast,  who  was  originally  and  for 
many  years  a  Presbyterian  minister.  He  imbibed  the 
absurd  views  of  Stone,  Marshall,  and  the  New  Lights, 
disowned  the  authority  of  the  Presbyterians,  united  in 
constituting  the  Springfield  Presbytery,  and  after  its 
dissolution,  with  about  forty  of  his  parishioners,  joined  the 
Shakers.  He  now  published  his  account  of  the  Kentucky 
revival  and  its  attainment  of  perfection  in  Shakerism. 
He  seems  to  represent  conversion  as  the  putting  forth  of 
the  bud,  and  Shakerism  as  the  full  blossom.  By  assimi- 
lating certain  incidents  of  the  revival  iu  which  he  had  been 
engaged  with  Shaker  usages  —  the  friends  of  the  awaken- 
ing in  lower  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  never  had  any 
connection  with,  or  fellowship  for  him  or  his  party  —  he 
probably  expected  to  win  some  of  its  subjects  over  to 
Shakerism.  His  book  is  too  destitute  of  literary  merit 
and  full  of  fanatical  conceits  to  afford  to  the  tolerably 
decent  infidel  or  enemy  to  revivals,  much  food  for  rancor 
or  ridicule  against  religion.  But  notwithstanding  the  his- 
torian manifestly  discredits,  and  w'arns  his  readers  against 
his  testimony*  on  some  important  points  ;  in  his  chapter," 
showing  the  "extravagances  and  disorders  of  the 
revival,"  he  quotes  or  refers  to  the  statements  of  this 
same  Richard  McNemar,  more  than  twenty  times.  The 
witness  who  cannot  be  credited  on  some  points,  is  not  to 
be  believed  on  others :  the  Shaker  testimony  against  the 
revival  is  therefore  disposed  of,  and  set  aside.  It  is 
strange  that  an  honest  man  should  have  thought  of 
introducing  it. 

•D8V.  His.,  Note  on  p.  137. 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  409 

The  most  formidable  witness  against  the  revival  is 
Rev.  John  hjle,  who  kept  a  private  diary  during  the 
height- of  the  great  revival  of  1801,  1802,  and  1803, 
noting  all  the  incidents  that  occurred  at  sacramental 
and  carap-raeetings  during  that  period.  Mr.  Ljle  was 
doubtless  a  good  man.  But  good  men  are  liable  to  be 
misled  by  prejudice  ;  and  if  this  was  the  case  with  him, 
he  was  only  in  the  same  category  with  several  others  at 
that  period,  who  were  probably  as  good  as  he,  and  much 
more  learned  and  talented.  It  is  difficult  to  say,  how 
far  even  good  men,  of  an  obstinate  disposition,  may  be 
misled  by  prejudice  and  party  spirit. 

Mr.  Lyle  seems  to  have  been  placed  in  a  position  to 
imbibe  as  much  of  the  rancor  of  party  spirit,  as  a  mind, 
so  pure  as  his,  could  entertain.  He  was  regarded  in 
the  Green  river  country,  as  obptintitely  opposed  to  the 
revival ;  but  his  opposition  did  not  bear  the  marks  of 
selfishness,  wounded  pride  or  disappointed  ambition  which 
seemed  to  characterize  that  of  some  others.  After 
having  witnessed  for  several  years  the  disorders  which 
were  countenanced,  and  received  as  evidences  of  piety, 
by  Stone,  Marshall,  and  the  New  Lights,  and  feeling 
all  the  repugnance  which  the  doctrinal  errors  of  these 
men  were  calculated  to  inspire ;  he  was  appointed  by 
Synod,  in  1805,  to  ride  tivo  months  in  the  bounds  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbytery.  *     He  was  doubtless  aware 

*  The  reasons  for  appointing  Mr.  Lyle  to  ride  two  months  in  the 
Cumberland  Presbytery,  so  short  a  time  before  the  meeting  of  the 
Commission  of  Kentucky  Synod,  for  the  purpose  of  investigating  the 
affairs  of  the  said  Presbytery,  have  not  been  divulged.  Some  facts 
j!i  hi-!  case  npjioav  sifjnificant.     He  was  a  man  of  moderate  talents^ 

3i> 


410  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

of  all  that  had  been  said  and  done  in  opposition  to  the- 
revival,  by  Craighead,  Balch,  Bowman  and  others  ;  and 
may  have  thought  these  men  the  only  friends  of  truth 
and  righteousness  in  that  part  of  the  country.  Two 
months  in  Cumberland  Presbytery,  comprising  southern 
Kentucky,  and  Tennessee,  it  must  be  acknowledged^ 
"was  too  short  a  time  to  enable  even  an  unprejudiced 
man  to  distinguish  between  the  doctrinal  errors  which 
he  had  left  behiad,  and  either  of  the  opposing  parties 
among  whom  he  had  come.  Besides,  Dr.  Craighead,  who, 
from  the  first  had  bitterly  opposed  the  revival  and 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterians,  had  not  yet  developed 
his  Pelagian  sentiments.  He  up  to  this  time  had 
assumed  to  be  the  champion  of  orthodoxy  and  order  iu 
his  Presbytery,  and  had  been  called  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  so  called  anti-revival  or  orthodox  party 
of  the  Shiloh  congregation,  after  they  had  closed  the 
church  doors  against  their  former  pastor,  who  favored 
the  revival.*  And  Mr.  Lyle,  though  honest  and  even 
obstinate  in  pursuit  of  what  he  deemed  right,  was  one 
of   those   whom,   the   historian   says,   certain   persons 

had  his  weaknesses,  and  was  occasionally  betrayed  into  too  p9,ssionato 
warmth,  as  his  best  friends  admit.  He  had  betrayed  this  warmth 
in  opposition  to  the  work  in  upper  Kentucky,  as  his  Diaries  show. 
He  might  be  expected  to  join  in  the  opposition  of  Craighead  and 
his  party.  He  was  a  suitable  person  to  prepare  matters  for  the  said 
Commission.  How  fur  his  preparations  served  that  body  in  their 
proceedings  is  not  known.  It  is  true  that  some  persons  during  his 
two  months'  tour  regarded  him  as  a  spy. 

*  This  party,  having  been  censured  for  their  violent  conduct  by 
Presbytery,  withdrew,  formed  a  distinct  society,  and  called  Craighead 
aji  their  pastor. 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  411 

affected  to  ridicule  as  men  of  small  intellects,  eclipsed 
by  so  great  a  luminary  as  Dr.  Craighead.*  If  Mr. 
Lyie  had  spent  two  months  in  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
tery, before  the  errors  and  disorders  of  Stone,  Marshall, 
the  New  Lights,  and  those,  who  afterwards  formed  the 
Springfield  Presbytery,  some  of  whom  joined  the 
Shakers,  had  appeared  —  greatly  to  the  annoyance  of 
all  sound  Presbyterians  as  well  as  to  the  grief  of  all  true 
friends  of  the  revival  —  it  is  probable  that  he  never 
would  have  identified  himself  with  the  party,  opposing 
the  revival.  Or  if  he  had  come  with  a  mind  unbiased-, 
less  under  the  influence  of  Craighead  and  his  party, 
and  associated  more  with  McGready,  Hodge,  McGee, 
Ewing,  and  others  of  like  spirit ;  it  is  believed  that  this 
good  man  niight  have  discerned  the  true  state  of  things, 
the  real  character  of  the  opposing  parties,  and  made 
such  representations  to  the  Commission,  as  would  have 
prevented  those  egregious  blunders  which  caused  the 
separation.  But  whatsoever  things  to  us  are  inscru- 
table, are  overruled  by  wisdom  infinite  fpr  good. 
"  Surely  the  wrath  of  man  shall  praise  thee :  the 
reipainder  of  wrath  shalt  thou  restrain."  f  The  sepa- 
ration, in  consequence  of  the  revival  of  1800,  has  done 
for  the  cause  of  vital  godliness,  the  same  which  the 
separation,  growing  out  of  the  awakening  of  1740,  had 
so  signally  accomplished. 

Mr.  Lyle's  Diaries  are  to  the  historian  a  scource 
of  high  gratulation.  In  the  preface  of  his  work,  he 
calls  them  "  an  invaluable  document,"   "  the  precious 

•Dav  Hi9..  p  268  t  P<a,lm»  Ixxri,  10. 


412  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

manuscript,"  saw  them  "  at  a  glance  to  be  of  inestimable 
importance ; "  and  in  enumerating  his  labors,  travels 
and  personal  conversations,  for  the  production  of  a  work 
which  "  is  the  fruit  of  nine  years'  laborious  research," 
comparing  himself  to  Horace,  Scott,  Allison  and  Frois- 
sart,  he  advertises  his  readers  that  "he  has  enjoyed 
facihties,  providentially  put  in  his  way,  of  no  ordinary 
value  :  "  evidently  meaning  these  Diaries.  For  in  the 
next  sentence  he  says,  they  "were  just  on  the  point  of 
being  committed  to  the  flames  as  waste  paper,  when  they 
fell  into  the  author's  hands."  These  Diaries  contain 
about  such  details  as  might  be  expected  from  an  honest 
but  prejudiced  individual,  who,  having  identified  himself 
with  a  party,  was  particularly  anxious  to  note  down 
among  other  things,  all  that  would  serve  to  justify  the 
side  he  had  taken.  They  are  only  valuable  for  the  light 
they  throw  on  their  author's  subsequent  course. 

But  is  the  use  made  of  these  Diaries  by  the  historian 
duly  authorized  ?  He  found  in  or  attached  to  the  contents 
the  following: 

"  The  foregoing  short  sketches  were  written  hastily  for 
private  use  ;  and  should  I  die  before  I  destroy  them,  I 
would  not  allow  my  friends  to  hand  them  about,  or  any 
one  to  use  them,  except  some  judicious  friend  might 
make  an  extract  of  those  few  particulars  which  might  be 
useful  in  writing  a  history  of  the  progi-ess  of  religion  in 
Kentucky."  * 

*  The  perusal  of  this  paragraph  ^vill  naturally  suggest  to  the  atten- 
tive and  candid  reader,  the  following  questions  and  answers :  Qixstion : 
How  were   the  sketches   written  ?    Ans7rer :    Hastily,  and    probably 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  413 

The  historian  has  made  a  very  abundant  use  of  these 
Diaries  or  sketches,  and  has  derived  from  thence,  and 
from  the  book  of  McNemar,  the  Shaker,  almost  all  that 
is  odious  and  derogatory  to  the  revival,  in  his  chapter 
devoted  to  its  "  Extravagances  and  Disorders."  Besides 
numerous  quotations,  statements,  and  references,  in 
various  other  parts  of  his  work,  he  has,  in  this  single 
chapter,  made  one  hundred  and  forty-eight  references 
to  Mr.  Lyle,  as  his  authority.  This  is  a  rather  liberal 
use  of  the  privilege,  to  "  make  an  extract  of  those  few 
particulars  which  might  be  useful  in  writing  the  history 

without  much  reflection?  Q.  For  what  purpose?  A.  For  private 
use.  Q.  What  did  the  writer  intend  to  do  with  them  ?  A.  To 
destroy  them  before  his  death.  Q.  Why  does  he  say,  "  if  I  die  before 
I  destroy  them  ? "  A.  Because  he  knew  death  might  come  upon 
him,  before  he  should  do  what  he  intended.  Q.  But  should  he  leave 
themtrndestrored,  what  then  ?  A.  He  would  not  allow  his  friends 
to  hand  them  about,  or  any  one  to  use  them,  except  a  judicious  friend. 
Q.  What  might  he  do?  A.  Make  an  extract.  Q.  Of  wliat?  A.  Of 
a  few  particulars.  Q.  For  what  purpose  ?  A.  To  show  the  progress 
of  religion  in  Kentucky.  Q.  But  might  he  not  make  many  extracts 
and  statements  of  particulars,  referring  to  the  sketches  for  his 
authority  ?  A.  No,  only  one  extract  of  those  few  particulars,  whicli 
show  the  progress  of  religion  in  Kentucky.  Q.  But  why  did  tlio 
writer  limit  to  a  single  extract  of  only  a  few  particulars  ?  A.  Because 
he  well  knew  the  sketches  contained  but  a  few  particulars,  such  as 
he  allowed  to  be  used.  Q.  What  else  did  they  contain  ?  A.  Much 
of  a  censorious  character,  written  when  party  spirit  was  at  its  height, 
of  which  the  writer  in  his  cooler  moments  had  become  thoroughly 
ashamed,  and  intended  to  destroy.  Q.  Did  he  intend,  if  he  died 
before  he  destroyed  the  maTiuscript,  to  forbid  the  use  of  all  these 
censorious  details  to  a  writer  of  the  history  of  the  progress  of  religion 
in  Kentucky?  A.  The  very  nature  and  language  of  his  prohibition, 
as  well  as  of  the  censorious  details  themselves,  incontestibly  prove 
that  he  did. 


414  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

of  the  progress  of  religion  in  Kentucky."  Whoever 
attentively  reads  this  chapter,  and  some  succeeding 
ones,  will  find  ample  reasons  for  the  conclusion,  that  the 
use  made  of  Lyle's  Diaries,  and  the  Shaker's  book,  was 
for  the  purpose  of  casting  an  amount  of  odium  upon  the 
revival  of  1800,  at  least  sufficient  to  justify  the  Synod's 
intolerable  blunders  and  tyrannical  proceedings  against 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterians.  For  while  it  is  admitted 
that  the  party  of  Stone,  Marshal,  and  the  New  Lights, 
had  dwindled  to  a  very  small  remnant,  and  was  finally 
"  merged  in  the  all-embracing  vortex  of  Campbelism  ;"  * 
it  was  also  well  known  that  the  so  called  "  Cumberland 
Schism "  had,  by  the  blessing  of  God  on  their  self- 
sacrificing  labors  and  their  scriptural  doctrines,  grown 
to  be  a  great  people,  establishing  numerous  schools  and 
colleges,  and  bidding  fair  to  out-number  any  other 
branch  of  the  Presbyterian  family.  And  since  the 
Synod's  acts,  with  the  pamphlets  and  publications  of 
various  kinds,  had  not  impeded  their  unparalleled 
progress,  it  may  have  been  supposed  that  the  Shaker's 
book,  originally  designed  by  its  author  to  proselyte  from 
the  New  Lights,  and  Lyle's  Diaries,  written  when 
party  spirit  was  at  its  height,  might  be  pressed  into 
good  service.  Hence  the  joy  at  the  discovery  of  the 
"  precious  MS.,"  "the  invaluable  document,"  &c. 

But  this  "  invaluable  document,"  so  far  as  extracts 
have  been  given  and  references  made  in  the  history, 
appears,  after  all,  abundantly  to  detail  the  extravagances 
and  disorders  of  the  New  Lights,  but  to  have  not  much 

<■  Dav.  His.,  p,  219. 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  415 

•to  say  about  the  revival  under  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terians. Must  the  latter  be  held  responsible  for  the 
errors  in  doctrine  and  conduct  of  the  former  ?  It  is 
•known  to  all  who  interest  themselves  in  the  subject,  that 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  differ  as  widely  in  their 
doctrines  from  the  New  Lights,  as  Old  and  New  School 
Presbyterians  differ  from  that  heretical  sect ;  and  they 
have  opposed  their  errors  with  equal  zeal  and  success. 
How  stands  the  case  of  Mr.  Lyle's  testimony  against 
the  revival  of  1800  ?  A  fair  examination  leads  to  the 
following  conclusions.  He  was  a  man  "  of  moderate 
"talents,"  ^'  naturally  amiable,  though  he  had  his  weak- 
nesses, and  was  occasionally  betrayed  into  too  passionate 
warmth."*  He  kept  a  Diary  from  1801  to  1803, 
inclusive,  in  which  he  noted  incidents  that  occurred 
among  the  New  Lights,  headed  by  Stone,  Marshall, 
and  others.  He  also  kept  a  journal  of  his  two  months' 
tour  in  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  in  1805.  His 
Diaries  divulge  the  very  many  extravagances  and  dis- 
orders of  the  excitement  under  Stone,  Marshall,  and  the 
New  Lights,  but  comparatively  little  to  the  discredit  of 
the  revival  in  which  McGready,  Ewing,  and  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterians  were  the  instruments.  He  forbade  the 
use  of  more  than  an  extract  of  a  few  particulars,  for  a 
•specified  purpose.  The  historian  has  used  his  sketches 
•profusely  ;  but  whether  alone  for  the  purpose  specified 
is  indeed  questionable.  And  by  failing  to  distinguish 
justly  and  accurately  between  the  revival  in  whi<2h  the 
Oumberland  Presbyterians  originated,  and  that   from 

•I)*.",  His.,  p  118 


416  REVIEW  OF  DAVIBSON. 

•which  the  New  Liglits  sprung,  his  narrative  is  liable  to 
confuse  his  readers,  and  leave  them  to  attribute  to  the 
former  what  is  only  applicable  to  the  latter.  Surely  the 
iiisorders  of  the  revival  under  Stone,  Marshall,  and  the 
New  Lights,  which  appeared  in  upper  Kentucky,  in 
1801,  do  iK)t  belong  to  the  revival  in  the  lower  part  of 
that  State  and  Tennessee,  which  commenced  about 
four  years  before,  under  the  preaching  of  Rev.  Jamea 
IMcGready  :  the  two  parties  were  as  distinct  in  their 
operations  as  in  their  doctrines. 

There  are  very  strong  marks  of  resemblance  between 
the  revival  of  1800  and  the  great  awakening  of  1740. 
The  awakening  commenced  in  1734,  at  Northampton^ 
under  the  ministry  of  the  elder  Edwards  ;  the  revival 
began  in  1797,  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  McGready. 
The  doe-trine  of  justification  by  faith  was  the  immediate 
occasion  of  the  former  ;  *  the  doctrines  of  regeneratioa, 
faith,  and  repentance  first  aroused  the  people  to  serious 
inquiry  in  the  latter.  Previous  to  the  former,  vital  pietj 
had  greatly  declined,  and  nobody  doubted  that  there 
were  many  unconverted  ministers  ;f  previous  to  the 
latter  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the  west  is  universally 
acknowledged  to  have  been  in  a  cold  and  lifeless  state, 
many  of  her  ministers  appearing  not  to  possess  much  of 
the  spirit  of  th.e  gospel.  In  the  former,  those  whom 
Tennent,  in  his  famous  Nottingham  sermon,  called 
"  Pharisee  ministers  "  bitterly  opposed  the  revival  of 
religion,  ridiculed  the  doctrines,  and  defamed  the 
men  by  whom  it  was  carried  on  i^  in  the  latter,  Balch 

•Tracy'B  History,  p.  1  t  lb.  p  7  t  lb.  p.  (» 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  417 

ridiculed  the  doctrines  preached  ;  Craighead  and  others 
opposed  and  misrepresented  the  ministers  engaged  in 
promoting  the  work.  In  the  former,  many  of  the  min- 
isters and  people  ascribed  the  work  to  other  causes  than 
the  Spirit's  agencj,  and  slandered  Whitefield,  the  Ten- 
nents,  Blair  and  others  ;  in  the  latter,  carnal  professors 
and  worldly  formahsts  united  with  infidels  in  decrying 
the  work  as  spurious,  and  slandering  its  promoters  as 
fanatics.  In  the  former,  opposition  to  the  revival  led  to 
Synodical  tyranny,  which  caused  a  separation  ;  in  the 
latter,  the  same  thing  occurred ;  like  causes  producing 
like  effects.  In  both  there  were  outcries,  faintings, 
bodily  agitations,  and,  it  must  be  added,  some  disorders.* 
In  both  there  were  to  be  found  a  few  enthusiasts,  like 
Davenport  in  the  one,  and  Rankin  in  the  other,  who 
embraced  odious  errors  in  doctrine,  occasioned  much 
scandal,  and  grieved  the  people  of  God.  In  both  the 
Lord  had  many  faithful  servants  who,  in  the  midst  of 

*Dr.  Davidson,  after  giving  the  most  revolting  accounts  of  the 
bodily  agitations,  remarks :  "  The  revivals  which  took  place  in  1735 
and  1742,  of  which  the  elder  Edwards  has  given  so  full  and  luminous 
an  account,  were  accompanied  with  similar  bodily  agitations  to  those 
witnessed  in  Kentucky.  There  were  repeated  instances  of  fainting, 
falling,  trances,  numbness,  convulsions,  and  outcries." — ^p.  183. 

He  then  proceeds  to  mention  many  other  extravagances  and 
disorders,  some  of  which  —  if  they  were  witnessed  in  the  revival  of 
1800  at  all  —  could  have  existed  only  among  the  New  Lights.  It  is 
denied  that  the  friends  of  the  true  revival  ever  relied  on  dreams, 
visions,  and  voices.  And  as  to  "  apostacies  by  thousands,"  the  testi- 
mony of  friends  and  foes  stands  in  direct  contradiction.  On  the 
contrary,  it  has  been  a  matter  of  general  surprise  that  those  who 
professed  conversion^  so  uniformly  honored  their  profession. 


418  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

their  trials  and  persecutious,  could  say  with  Paul:  "  But 
none  of  these  things  move  me,  neither  count  I  my  life 
dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I  might  finish  my  course  with 
joy,  and  the  ministry  which  I  have  received  of  the  Lord 
Jesus,  to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God."  From 
both  the  Lord  raised  up  a  great  multitude  of  witnesses, 
strong  in  faith,  valiant  for  the  truth,  and  made  them 
powerful  in  accomplishment.  The  time  for  the  right 
appreciation  of  the  former  has  already  come.  The  time 
for  awarding  justice  to  the  latter  cannot  be  long  delayed. 
In  1740,  the  Old  Side  condemned  the  revival  as 
spurious,  the  New  Side  strenuously  maintaining  that  it 
was  genuine.  The  same  parties  existed  in  1800.  In 
the  former  revival  the  Old  Side  contended  that  a  change 
of  heart  and  life  -could  not  be  the  work  of  the  Spirit  of 
Ood,  when  attended  by  bodily  commotions,  while  the 
New  Side  maintained  the  contrary.  In  the  latter 
revival,  the  parties  were  divided  on  the  same  point. 
In  1740,  the  Old  Side  wrongfully  accused  the  New 
Side  of  admitting  visions,  trances,  and  faintings,  to  be 
evidences  of  a  saving  change ;  this,  of  course,  was 
indignantly  denied.  In  1800,  the  same  unjust  accusa- 
tions were  made,  and  are  to  this  day  repeated ;  but 
from  first  to  last  they  have  been  denied  as  false  and 
slanderous.  In  healing  the  schism,  in  1758,  the  parties 
made  mutual  concessions,  among  which  the  following 
are  found :  "  The  Synod  of  New  York  declared  its 
belief  unaltered  coneerning  the  revival ;  and  the  united 
Synod  declared,  that  a  cliange  to  penitence,  faith,  and 
s.  holy  life,  is  to  be  ascribed  to  the  Spirit  of  God,  even 


REVIEW   OF    DAVIDSON.  419 

though  attended  with  '  bodily  commotions '  and  other 
irregularities ;  and  that  persons  -who,  without  such  a 
change,  fancy  themselves  converted  because  they  have 
had  visions,  or  trances,  or  faintings,  or  the  like,  are 
'  under  a  dangerous  delusion.'  "  * 

The  revival  of  1740  continued  in  dlflferent  places  for 
many  years.  The  New  Side,  in  the  meantime,  ever 
zealous,  energetic,  and  successful,  increased  wonder- 
fully ;  while  the  Old  Side  either  dwindled  or  remained 
stationary  :  the  natural  consequences  of  favoring  and  of 
opposing  this  gracious  revival.  The  number  of  ministers 
in  the  Synod  of  New  York  f  was  more  than  tripled  ia 
seventeen  years, J  wliile  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia  had 
only  about  the  same  number  of  members  which  the 
division  had  left,  about  twenty.  §  Tracy  also  says, 
"The  Synod  of  Philadelphia, ||  too,  must  have  per- 
ceived that  they  were  steadily  losing  their  importance, 
and  could  escape  becoming  an  insignificant  sect  only  by 
uniting  with  that  body  which  would  certainly  become 
the  Presbyterian  church  of  America." 

Similar  results  followed  the  revival  of  1800  and  tha 
separation  of  the  Cumberland  from  the  Presbyterian 
branch.  Notwithstanding  the  continual  replenishing  of 
the  latter  by  immigration,  her  increase  of  strength  and 
numbers  was  not  to  compare  with  the  rapid  growth  of  the 
former.  In  the  Presbyterian  church  revivals,  if  any 
occurred,  were  certainly  too  few  and  inconsiderable,  to 
attract  notice  ;  while  the  entire  bounds  of  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  operations  were  one  continued  scene  of 

*»  Tracy'B  His.,  p.  887.      t  New  Side.      \  Tracy's  His.,  p.  886.      5  lb.      ||  Old  Side. 


*r'^ 


420  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

revival  influences.  While  the  Presbyterian  ministers 
preached  regularly  to  their  thin  and  scattered  congre- 
gations, or  directed  their  attention  to  cities  and  large 
towns;  the  Cumberlands,  that  thej  might  preach  the 
gospel  to  the  poor,  mounted  their  horses,  explored  every 
nook  and  corner  of  the  land,  scaled  mountains,  swam 
rivers,  penetrated  forests,  regardless  of  burning  suns  or 
raging  storms,  often  sleeping  on  cabin  floors  with  their 
saddle-bags  for  their  pillows,  and  sharing  the  homely  fare 
of  their  poor  but  warm-hearted  entertainers.  While  some 
pious  hearts  among  the  former  mourned  over  the  dearth 
and  deadness  which  prevailed  for  so  long  a  season, 
lamenting  "  the  low  state  of  religion,  the  paucity  of  con- 
versions and  backwardness  in  supporting  the  ministrj'-, 
&c.  ; "  *  the  people  of  the  latter  could  rejoice  exceed- 
ingly at  the  success  of  their  missionaries,  carrying  the 
torch  of  divine  truth  in  every  direction,  as  well  as  the 
wonderful  results  of  their  camp-meetings,  amounting  to 
twenty,  sixty,  hundred,  and,  in  one  instance,  a  few  years 
since,  three  hundred  conversions.  The  state  of  religion 
continued  lamentably  low  in  the  Presbyterian  church 
at  the  west,  until  1825  or  '26,  when  a  change  for  the 
better  appeared.  And  it  may  be  well  to  notice  some 
of  the  instrumentalities  which  appear  to  have  been 
blessed  by  the  Head  of  the  church  to  this  happy  result. 
1.  A  very  different  style  and  manner  of  preaching. 
The  preaching  which  had  been  too  much  of  a  cold  and 
spiritless  oratory,  calculated  only  to  affect  the  head,  now 
became  in  a  number  of  instances  warm  and  animated,  as 

•  Pavidson's  Uistory,  p.  S26. 


REVIEW    OF  DAVIDSON.  421 

if  designed  to  touch  the  heart.  Most  of  those  who 
adopted  the  new  style  were  supposed  by  their  hearers  to 
have  modified  their  doctrines,  were  understood  to  preach 
a  universal  atonement,  and  to  offer  a  full,  free  salvation 
to  all,  insomuch  that  they  were  frequently  mistaken  for 
Cumberlands.  These  have  generally  been  more  popular 
with  the  latter,  than  with  many  of  their  own  brethren. 
They  have  been  the  instruments  of  a  number  of  revivals. 
The  most  prominent,  if  not  the  first,  of  these  is  Rev. 
Nathan  H.  Hall,  D.  D.,  Pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Lexington,  Kentucky.  With  the  approbation 
of  his  brethren  who  felt  the  necessity  of  strong  measures 
to  arrest  the  existing  evils,  he  held  two  protracted 
meetings  in  a  few  weeks  of  each  other,  which  were 
attended  with  the  divine  blessing.  The  Synod  holding 
their  meeting  in  the  interval  between  the  two,  its  mem- 
bers, before  they  parted,  had  received  "  something  of  a 
revival  in  their  own  breasts,  and  entered  into  an  agree- 
ment to  pray  at  a  concerted  time  "  —  whether  in  imita- 
tion of  Mr.  McGready's  covenant  with  his  people  of  the 
same  tenor,  so  signally  blessed  to  the  ushering  in  of  the 
great  revival  of  1800,  it  is  not  stated  —  "  for  the  out- 
pouring of  the  Spirit  on  their  respective  churches. 
Many  of  the  churches  were  greatly  refreshed."  *  Rev. 
Messrs.  Gallahar  and  Ross  itinerated  through  Kentucky 
and  Ohio ;  and  their  labors  were  abundanty  blessed. 
To  these  succeeded  a  number  of  revival  preachers,  so 
called,  and  the  church  has  been  refreshed  and  built 
up  in  many  places.     Some  wits  have  been  ungenerous 

■     *  Davidson,  p.  827. 


422  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

enough  to  say  of  some  of  these  men,  that  they  would 
out-Cumberland  the  Cumberlands  themselves.  True  it 
is,  they  have  been  the  instruments  of  changing  to  some 
extent  the  state  of  things  in  their  own  church  ;  they 
have  rendered  signal  service  to  our  common  Christianity  ; 
deserve  the  gratitude  of  pious  hearts  ;  and  it  is  to  be 
wished  that  their  church  could  send  out  many  more  of 
a  like  spirit. 

2.  The  adoption  of  what  has  been  called  new  measures. 
Not  that  these  measures  were  new  among  Cumberland 
Presbyterians,  for  they  had  been  much  in  use  among 
them,  from  the  time  of  the  revival  in  1800 ;  but  they 
now,  for  the  first  time,  found  favor  in  the  mother 
church.  Some  of  them,  however,  received  new  names: 
what  had  been  known  as  the  mourner's  bench,  was  now 
called  "  the  anxious  seat,'"  and  meetino;s  for  directinoj 
seekers  of  religion  were  called  "  inquiry  meetings." 
"  The  introduction  of  the  anxious  seat,  says  Dr.  David- 
son, is  "  ascribed  to  Dr.  Anderson  of  Tennessee,"  * 
that  is  the  eastern  section  of  the  State.  This  is  proba- 
bly correct,  since  that  minister  is  known  to  have  labored 
much  for  the  promotion  of  revivals  among  the  churches 
of  his  denomination,  and  with  considerable  success. 
His  camp  meetings  were  usually  attended  with  more  or 
less  good  fruits.  He  appears  to  have  been  a  zealous, 
talented,  and  successful  minister. 

3.  The  introduction  of  camp-meetings.  The  historian 
says  they  were  "  revived."  It  is  not  known  that  old 
Presbyterians    ever   approved,    or   more   than    barely 

*Dav.  His.,  Note  on  p  830 


REVIEW  or  DAVIDSON.  423 

tolerated  them,  as  they  were  held  by  the  revival  party ; 
and  after  the  separation,  it  was  understood  that  their 
faces  were  set,  like  flint,  against  them.  They  ridiculed 
and  censured  their  Cumberland  brethren  for  holding 
them,*     But   about  this    time   thev  were   '"revived," 

*  Some  few  years  after  the  separation,  two  young  Cumberland 
ministers — Rev.  Samuel  M.  Aston,  now  of  Ohio,  and  Rev.  George 
Donnell,  late  pastor  of  the  church  in  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  now  deceased  — 
were  appointed  to  spend  a  summer  in  east  Tennessee,  to  assist  their 
bretliren  already  there  in  conducting  the  revival,  holding  camp 
meetings,  &c.  The  labors  of  these  missionaries  were  abundantly 
blessed,  and  the  work  increased  and  extended  in  various  directions. 
Dr.  Anderson  appeared  to  have  been  taken  by  surprise ;  he  had  never 
seen  it  in  this  fashion.  "  Those  that  have  turned  the  world  upside 
down  are  come  hither  also."  It  is  said,  he  at  length  concluded  that 
it  was  the  duty  of  Presbyterians,  if  they  were  not  disposed  to  yield  up 
the  whole  country  to  these  Cumberlands,  to  equal  them  in  zeal,  in 
labor,  and  in  faith.  "  We  must,"  he  is  reported  to  have  said,  "  appoint 
camp  meeting  for  camp  meeting,  have  sermon  for  sermon,  and 
mourner's  bench  for  mourner's  bench."  Ilis  people,  under  his 
direction,  began  to  hold  camp  meetings,  which  were  conducted  in 
the  Cumberland  style,  as  far  as  might  comport  with  their  views  of 
order.  On  one  occasion  Messrs.  Aston  and  Donnell  attended  for  a 
day.  Dr.  Anderson  and  another  minister  preached,  as  these  brethren 
thought,  the  precious  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  the  very  doctrines 
which  they  loved  and  preached  themselves.  Mourners  were  invited 
to  come  before  the  stand.  Many  did  so.  All  seemed  like  one  of 
their  own  Cumberland  meetings,  and  they  looked  at  each  otlier  and 
inquired,  can  this  be  an  old  Presbyterian  meeting  ?  Tliey  thought 
themselves  strangers  to  all  present,  except  the  preachers ;  but  not 
being  at  all  noticed  by  them,  they  remained  where  they  had  first  taken 
seats.  They  were  mistaken.  A  gentleman  who  had  attended  one 
of  their  meetings  recognized  them,  and  with  tears  besought  them  to 
instruct  and  pray  for  his  daughter,  who  was  a  little  apart  from  the 
crowd,  under  deep  convictions.  They  complied.  While  they  were 
engaged  with  the  young  lady,  a  large  number  of  persons  collected 


424  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

unnecessarily  multiplied,  and  brought  within  two  or 
three  miles  of  populous  towns ;  but  occasioning  great 
disorder  and  some  crimes,  they  fell  into  such  disuse 
as  nuisances,  that  only  one  is  occasionally  held  in 
Kentucky,  under  prudent  regulations.*  What  was  the 
necessity  for  camp-meetings  so  near  to  populous  towns  ? 
And  because  they  were  abused  where  they  were  not 
needed,  must  they  be  discontinued  where  the  people 
could  not  otherwise  be  accommodated  ?  Verily  they 
mi";ht  have  taken  another  lesson  from  their  Cumberland 
brethren. 

It  has  been  said  a  thousand  times,  and  doubtless  will 
be  repeated  ten  thousand  times  more  —  by  the  friends 
of  the  revival,  of  course  —  that  the  Presbyterian  church 
at  the  west  has  all  along  prospered,  just  in  proportion 
as  she  has  favored  revivals  and  adopted  revival  measures. 
For  about  twenty  years  after  the  suspending  and  pro- 
hibitive acts  of  the  Kentucky  Synod,  she  seemed  barely 
to  exist;  and  if  all  the  representations  of  her  own 
writers  on  the  subject  are  just,  her  state  must  have  been 

around  them,  among  whom  were  Dr.  Anderson  and  some  of  his 
elders.  Mr.  Donnell,  thougli  at  the  time  very  young,  was  remarkably 
fluent  in  exhortation,  and  gifted  in  prayer.  After  learning  the  state 
of  the  young  lady's  mind,  her  difficulties,  discouragements,  &c ,  he 
instructed  and  prayed  for  her.  Mr.  Aston  says  it  was  a  solemn  and 
heavenly  time,  and  all  seemed  to  feel  it  so.  On  arising  from  their 
knees.  Dr.  Anderson  remarked  to  one  of  his  members,  "it  afflicts  me 
to  my  very  heart  that  I  cannot  take  to  my  bosom  a  young  man  who 
can  pray  and  talk  like  that ;  but  were  I  to  do  so,  what  would  be  the 
use  of  denominational  distinctions'?"  Aston  and  Donnell  left 
without  further  notice. 

*  Drt.  His.,  p.  S.%. 


REVIEW  OF  DAVlDSOHi.  '426 

deeply  deplored  by  all  her  pious  people  :  and  at  no  timo 
has  she  been  destitute  of  a  greater  or  less  number,  whose 
lives  and  characters  would  compare  favorably  with  the 
most  pious.  Camp  and  protracted  meetings,  and  revival 
measures,  which  were  so  greatly  blessed  for  a  few  years, 
appear  never  to  have  been  generally  approved  in  that 
church,  and  of  late  years  have  much  declined.  Revival 
preachers,  too,  appear  not  to  be  adequately  appreciated 
and  encouraged.  Dr.  Hall,  however,  who  has  been 
more  conversant  with  revivals  than  any  minister  of  tho 
Presbyterian  church  in  the  west,  still  lives.  For  a  few 
years  past  he  has  traveled  extensively.  His  aid  has 
been  solicited  in  all  parts  of  the  country ;  and  he  has 
been  instrumental  in  gathering  great  numbers  into  the 
churches.  Neither  the  distrust  of  some  of  his  brethren 
can  discourage,  nor  opposition  from  any  quarter  overawe 
him.  Though  he  has  already  passed  his  three  score 
years,  he  seems  still  to  be  animated  with  the  fire  and 
fervor  of  a  youthful  Stephen,  who  was  full  of  faith  and 
the  Holy  Ghost.* 

During  the  twenty-five  years'  dearth  and  deadness 
in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  ever  since  up  to  the 
present  time,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  have 
uniformly  and  unfalteringly  fostered  the  revival  in 
which  they  had  their  birth,  and  to  which,  under  God, 
they   owe    their   unexampled   growth    and   prosperity. 

*  "  He  is  equal  to  any  of  you  Cumberlands,"  said  one  of  his  admiring 
brethren  (the  late  Dr.  Goodlet,)  on  inviting  the  writer  to  accompany 
him  one  evening,  to  the  protracted  meeting,  held  by  Dr.  Hall  in 
Nashville,  a  few  vears  since. 

36 


426  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

The  revival  of  1800  still  continues,  after  more  than 
half  a  century,  adding  thousands  to  their  churches 
every  year  —  not  always  in  the  same  places  —  but  in 
many  of  the  old  settlements  as  well  as  the  new.  The 
results  of  camp  and  protracted  meetings,  as  well  as  of 
missionary  operations,  as  reported  almost  every  week 
from  various  parts  of  the  church,  still  continue  to  cheer 
the  hearts  of  those  who  love  Zion  and  call  for  heart-felfc 
gratitude  to  the  God  of  revivals.  And  could  all  branches 
of  the  Presbyterian  family  free  themselves  from  certain 
unreasonable  prejudices,  enlist  with  suitable  energy  and 
enlightened  zeal,  relying  alane  on  truth  as  the  instru- 
ment, and  the  Holy  Spirit  as  the  Author  of  the  gracious 
work  ;  the  western  wilderness  might  be  expected  to 
blossom  as  the  rose  ;  the  thousands  who  are  flocking 
thereto,  might  be  converted  and  made  heirs  of  heaven, 
instead  of  being  blinded  by  the  god  of  this  world  and 
cast  down  to  perdition ;  and  who  can  estimate  the 
power  of  that  impulse  which  would  be  given  to  the 
world's  evangelization  ? 

II.  It  is  proposed  to  show  that  some  of  the  ministers, 
opposing  the  revival,  were  not  consistent  Presbyterians, 
notwithstanding  their  membership  in  that  church,  or 
they  were  deceived  respecting  the  character  of  the 
work.  The  most  prominent  of  these,  was  Rev.  Thomas 
B.  Craighead,  known  not  only  for  his  learning  and 
eloquence,  but  also  for  his  fierceness  for  what  he  called 
orthodoxy  and  order.  So  great  a  favorite  was  he  with 
the  anti-revival  party,  that  he  was  the  very  man  who 
was  called  to  the  pastorship  of  a  society  composed  of 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  427 

the  most  inveterate  opposers  of  the  revival.  This 
society  was  a  party  which  had  once  belonged  to  the 
Shiloh  congregation ;  but  having  violently  closed  the 
'doors  of  the  church  against  their  pastor,  Mr.  Hodge, 
who  was  a  promoter  of  the  revival ;  and  the  Presbytery 
having  decided  the  case  in  Mr.  Hodge's  favor  and 
adversely  to  these  malcontents,  they  seceded  and  formed 
«,  separate  church  under  Craighead.  The  Presbytery 
still  refusing  to  sanction  this  division,  the  Commission, 
being  assembled  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbytery,  in  the  year  1805,  reversed  the 
judgment  of  that  Presbytery,  thus  sanctioning  the 
opposition  and  sustaining  the  man  who  was  believed  to 
have  been  the  chief  instrument  in  fomenting  it.  Is  it 
possible  to  conceive  that  the  Commission  would  have 
done  this,  if  they  had  supposed  Craighead  guilty  of  any 
dissent  from  their  Confession  ? 

Since  Dr.  Craighead's  heresies  have  become  clearly 
developed  and  he  has  fallen  under  the  censures  of  the 
church,  some  have  manifested  a  disposition  to  antedate 
his  errors.  If  this  could  be  done,  it  might  afford  a 
degree  of  plausibility  to  the  idea  that  neither  he  nor  his 
^'farna  clamosa  letter  "  had  any  undue  influence  on  the 
Commission  of  Synod.  Even  this  candid  historian  — 
misled  doubtless  by  his  party  predilection  —  speaks  thus 
of  what  was  known  of  his  sentiments  in  April,  1803  ; 
"  On  the  other  hand,  Craighead,  though  a  man  of 
brilliant  talents,  and  a  staunch  champion  for  discipline 
and  order,  made  no  pretensions  to  rigid  orthodoxy,*  and 

•  Dav.  His.,  p  228. 


428  REVIEW  OF    DAVIDSON, 

his  Pelagian  sentiments  were  no  secret."  This  state- 
ment will  very  much  surprise  all  the  cotemporaries  and 
hearers  of  Mr.  Craighead  who  are  now  alive,  and  who 
unite  in  declaring  that  he  was  as  much  the  champion 
of  Presbyterian  orthodoxy  as  of  order,  until  about  the 
year  1805.  If  the  statement  quoted  be  strictly  true, 
why  did  the  Presbytery  or  the  Kentucky  Synod  hold  in 
fellowship,  for  a  term  of  years,  a  man  whose  Pelagian 
sentiments  were  no  secret  ?  Why  was  he  selected  to 
head  the  anti-revival  party  of  the  Shiloh  congregation  ? 
And  why  were  the  schismatical  and  violent  acts  of  that 
party  sustained  by  the  Commission  of  Kentucky  Synod, 
who  reversed  the .  judgment  of  Presbytery  in  the 
premises  ?  Lastly,  why  did  that  Commission  illegally 
act  upon  a  mere  fama  clamosa  letter  —  and  that  too, 
of  a  man  "  whose  Pelagian  sentiments  were  no  secret  ?  " 
Verily  the  statement  which  afterwards  became  true,  is 
here  antedated  by  some  years.  It  is  true  that  some 
members  of  Mr.  Craighead's  congregation  at  Spring 
Hill,  and  among  others  Mr.  Ewing,  had  suspected  him 
of  making  too  little  distinction  between  historical  and 
saving  faith,  and  of  rejecting  the  doctrine  of  regenera- 
tion ;  but  even  with  these  he  was  understood  to  clamor 
for  predestination  as  taught  in  the  Confession.  As  evi- 
dence respecting  the  date  of  Mr.  Craighead's  errors, 
the  act  of  the  Commission  in  1805  may  be  appealed  to. 
The  historian,  after  giving  his  account  of  all  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  Commission,  till  he  comes  to  the  last, 
says  :  "  The  Commission  then  took  up  the  case  of  Mr. 
Craighead,  charged  by  common   fame  as  denying  the 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  429 

doctrines  of  election  and  the  special  operations  of  the 
Spirit  of  God  in  conversion.  He  was  examined  on 
these  points,  the  questions  and  answers  being  in  writing, 
and  his  answers  pronounced  agreeable  to  the  Confession, 
a  few  ambiguous  and  unsatisfactory  expressions  ex- 
cepted."* This  verdict  at  the  time  was  doubtless  just ; 
and  the  subsequent  heresies  of  the  man  do  not  prove  it 
to  have  been  unjust  when  it  was  rendered.  To  suppose 
otherwise  would  involve  this  alternative :  either  Craig- 
head's Pelagian  sentiments  had  been  and  still  were  a 
secret ;  or  his  opposition  and  fama  clamosa  letter  were 
thus  rewarded.  The  latter  is  disproved  by  the  high 
character  of  the  judges.  The  former  therefore  must  be 
true ;  and  Dr.  Craighead,  until  after  1805,  was  regarded, 
•mth  few  exceptions  and  on  the  whole,  as  orthodox  in  his 
sentiments  by  the  Presbyterian  church.  Bub  the  vio- 
lence of  his  opposition  to  the  revival  proves  him  to  have 
been,  as  a  Presbyterian,  inconsistent  in  practice.  And 
notwithstanding  his  peculiar  views  on  faith,  regeneration, 
and  the  germs  of  other  errors  which  he  may  have  secretly 
entertained,  his  opposition  was  avowedly  prompted  by 
his  zeal  for  Presbyterian  orthodoxy  and  order. 

It  is  remarkable  that  Dr.  Craighead,  so  strenuous  for 
Calvinistic  orthodoxy,  should  have  been  indifferent  to  the 
great  doctrines  of  saving  faith  and  regeneration,  which 
are,  according  to  this  system,  essential  to  salvation. 
"With  all  his  reputed  talents,  his  theological  system  must 
have  been  an  anomaly  ;  and  it  is  not  wonderful  that,  in 
1811,  he  should  be  deposed  by  his  Presbytery  for  reject- 

*  Dav.  ms.,  p.  242. 


430  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

ing  those  very  doctrines,  for  the  denial  of  which  he  had 
been  tried  and  acquitted  by  the  Commission  of  Synod, 
in  1805,  viz :  "  the  denial  of  election  and  the  special 
operation  of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  conversion,"  &c.  It 
would  seem  that,  climbing  to  the  highest  point  of  Calvin- 
ism, he  became  dizzy  and  alarmed,  and  fell  to  the  very- 
depths  of  Pelagianism.  And  the  five  Presbyterian 
ministers  who  seceded  froip  that  church,  formed  the 
Springfield  Presbytery,  and  afterwards  constituted  the 
New  Light  party,  though  most  of  them  had  once  been 
Calvinists  of  the  strictest  sect,  were  not  withheld  from 
great  extravagances  and  fatal  errors :  some  of  them 
even  joined  the  Shakers.  Dr.  Davidson  truly  says : 
"  that  it  was  from  the  New  Light  party  almost  exclusively 
that  the  Shakers  drew  their  proselytes."  *  So  true  it 
is  that  rigid  Calvinism,  when  carried  to  the  extreme 
limits  to  which  some  of  its  tenets  inevitably  tend, 
involves  its  votaries  in  a  dilemma  whose  horns  are 
equally  absurd,  and  equally  remote  from  revealed  truth. 
Probably  these  men,  being  led  by  their  philosophy  of 
Calvinism  to  the  extreme  point  of  fatality,  and  alarmed 
at  their  position  ^- instead  of  settling  themselves  on 
"  the  sure  word  of  prophecy  "-7-  seized  the  other  horn 
of  the  dilemma,  and  bolted  off  into  Pelagianism,  Unita- 
rianism,  or  Shakerism.  This  was  acting  like  men  on  a 
burning  vessel,  who,  regardless  of  the  life-boat  which 
comes  to  their  rescue,  and  intent  only  on  escaping  the 
fire,  rush  headlong  into  the  water,  and  are  drowned. 
That  "  extremes  meet "    may  be  one  maxim  which 

»Dav.  ms.,  p.  271. 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  481 

"will  not  strictly  apply  to  them  ;  but  their  course  would 
seem  to  verify  another  which  says,  '•  there  is  but  a  step 
from  the  sublime  to  the  ridiculous."  They  saw  no 
medium  between  the  two  extremes.  Terrified  alike,  by 
the  rocks  of  Calvinism  on  the  one  hand  and  the  whirlpool 
of  Arminianism  on  the  other,  they  were  wrecked  on 
the  shoals  of  Pelagianism  or  engulfed  in  the  mire  of 
Shakerism.  They  knew  not  that  divine  truth  secures  a 
safe  passage  between  the  Scylla  and  Charybdis.  This 
discovery  was  left  to  those  consistent  promoters  of  the 
great  revival,  who,  being  tried  in  the  iron  furnace  of  ■ 
afiliction,  God  brought  them  out,  "to  be  unto  him  a 
people  of  inheritance,  as  they  are  to  this  day."  *  He  it 
was  who  conducted  them  through  the  Red  Sea  of  oppo- 
sition ;  who  stood  their  sheltering  cloud  by  day  and 
pillar  of  fire  by  night,  while  passing  from  the  yoke  of 
ecclesiastical  tyranny ;  who  established  them  in  the 
promised  land,  their  rightful  inheritance.  Their  Moses 
and  Aaron  were  Ewing,  McGee,'  Anderson,  King, 
McAdow,  and  others,  whose  names  will  ever  be  held  in 
gra.teful  remembrance. 

The  reader  must  now  be  convinced  that  Dr.  Craighead, 
the  Ajax  Telemon  of  the  party  opposing  the  revival, 
was  not  a  consistent  Presbyterian ;  also  that  Messrs. 
Balch  and  Bowman,  though  less  talented  and  less 
influential,  are  to  be  classed  with  him.  And  if  the  state- 
ments of  the  historian  are  to  be  relied  on,  the  other 
"  Presbyterian  clergy  of  the  lower  settlement,"  with 
the  exception  of  Messrs.  McGready,  Hodge,  McGee, 

'Deuteronomy  ip,  2<}. 


432  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

McAdow  and  Rankin,  must  be  assigned  to  the  same 
class.  For.  Dr.  Davidson  himself  unequivocally  testifies, 
that  "  all  the  rest  of  their  brethren  disapproved  and 
discountenanced  the  work  from  its  commencement,  as 
spurious."* 

Into  how  lamentable  a  state  had  the  Presbyterian 
Church  fallen  at  the  time  and  in  the  region  referred  to  ! 
Besides  Dr.  Craighead,  there  was  a  Rev.  James  Balch 
who  could  publicly  oppose  the  doctrines  of  faith,  repent- 
ance and  regeneration,  |  a  Rev.  John  Bowman,  who 
favored  the  views  of  Stone,  :j:  a  Rev.  Terah  Templin,  and 
a  Rev.  Samuel  Donnell ;  §  the  two  last  acknowledged 
by  the  historian  to  have  been  neither  qualified  by  nature 
or  education  to  be  conspicuous  or  influential.  But  it 
requires  no  great  depth  or  cultivation  of  intellect  to  do 
evil,  inflict  wounds  or  oppose  a  revival,  especially  when 

*  Davidson's  History,  page  135.    t  Smith,  page  568.    +  Davidson's  History,  p.  229. 

^  An  aged  and  highly  respected  minister,  now  uf  the  Protestant 
Methodist  Church,  has  related  an  incident  which  occurred  at  the 
congregation  of  Sugg's  Creek,  and  was  witnessed  by  himself  when  a 
young  man,  before  he  had  professed  religion.  As  it  may  illustrate 
the  spirit  of  the  times,  as  well  as  of  the  men,  it  is  given  as  follows : 

It  so  happened  that  the  appointments  of  this  Rev.  Samuel  Donnell 
and  James  B.  Porter  conflicted.  From  the  state  of  feeling  between 
the  parties,  it  is  presumable  that  this  was  neither  expected  nor  desired 
by  either.  Donnell  had  long  been  known  as  the  teacher  of  a  classical 
school,  and  an  inveterate  opposer  of  the  revival.  Porter  was  one  of 
those  young  men  whom  Dr.  Davidson  has  denominated  "illiterate 
exhorters" — notwithstanding  Smith,  quoting  from  the  minutes  of 
Presbytery,  shows  that  his  examination  on  the  languages  had  been 
sustained,  on  his  reception  as  a  candidate  for  the  ministry* — and  a 
zealous  promoter  of  the  work  of  God.  The  young  man  of  course 
yielded  the  popular  hour  to  the  venerable  father,  who  gave  one  of  his 
♦  Page  591. 


REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON.  438 

led  on  by  such  men  as  Craighead.  Balch  and  Bowman. 
It  seems  truly  surprising  that  any  of  these  men,  or  any 
others  who  opposed  the  revival  from  its  commencement, 
as  spurious,  should  have  ever  been  regarded  as  consistent 
Calvinists  and  orthodox  Presbyterians ;  but  some  of  them 
continued  to  be  so  regarded  by  their  party  until  death. 
These  men  occupying  a  high  standing  in  the  church, 
and  being  situated  wh3re  they  might  be  supposed  to 
know  all  about  the  revival,  its  supporters  and  the  manner 
in  which  it  was  conducted,  were  able  to  forestall  the 
judgment  of  ministers  and  people  at  a  distance,  and 
prejudice  their  minds  against  the  work,  "  as  spurious." 
Here  it  may  be  proper  to  pause  and  inquire,  whether 
there  ever  was  a  revival  which  could  be  regarded  other- 
wise then  spurious,  by  men  of  the  character  of  those 
above    described  ?     Whether,   if  a   second   Pentecost, 

spiritless  and  uninteresting  discourses — doubtless  intended  to  be 
very  orthodox  —  occupying  a  considerable  portion  of  the  time  in 
denouncing  and  warning  against  the  abominable  heresies  which  this 
people  were  now  about  to  hear  from  the  young  man  who  would  follow 
him.  The  people  who  had  principally  assembled  to  hear  Porter, 
waited  with  commendable  patience,  until  their  desire  could  be  gratified. 
Mr.  Porter  made  no  allusion  to  the  abuse,  in  advance,  of  himself  and 
his  doctrine  by  Donnell,  except  by  quoting  from  Paul:  "I  confess, 
that  after  the  way  which  they  call  heresy,  so  worship  I  the  God  of 
my  fiithers,  believing  all  things  which  are  written  in  the  law  and  in 
the  prophets."  *  His  discourse  was  on  the  necessity  of  faith,  repent- 
ance, and  regeneration.  He  was  very  careful  to  sustain  his  positions 
by  the  scriptures.  His  speech  was  in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and 
of  power.  The  people  who,  under  the  former  sermon,  seemed  so 
little  interested,  now  became  excited  and  inquiring.  The  good  work 
revived,  mourners  were  invited ;  and  numbers  professed  joy  and  peace 
in  believing. 

•  Acts  xxiv,  14. 

37 


4S4  RfiVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

•with  all  the  power  and  purity  of  the  first  should  comey 
it  would  be  regarded  otherwise  than  spurious,  hj  a  man 
whose  theology  excluded  saving  faith,  or  a  man  wha 
opposed  and  ridiculed  faith,  repentance,  and  regenera- 
tion ?  Also  whether  men  destitute  of  grace  and  piety, 
however  orthodox  in  their  sentiments,  would  not  be  likely 
to  oppose  the  pentecostal  shower,  hearing  it  ridiculed, 
censured,  and  denounced  as  spurious,  by  some  ministers 
revered  for  their  age,  experience,  and  long  services,  and 
by  others  celebrated  for  their  talents,  learning,  and 
eloquence  ?  And  it  may  again  be  inquired,  whether 
the  mere  formalist,  in  his  false  and  fancied  security,  as 
well  as  the  unconverted  sinner,  in  his  stiflF-necked  and 
hard-hearted  rebellion,  might  not  be  expected,  all  things 
considered,  to  join  the  hue  and  cry  raised  by  such  men, 
and  denounce  the  revival  as  spurious  ?  These  things 
should  be  taken  into  consideration,  by  way  of  apology 
for,  and  in  justice  to,  that  portion  of  the  ministers  and 
people  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  who  arrayed  them- 
selves in  opposition  to  the  revival  of  1800.  Some  were 
not  consistent  Presbyterians ;  others  were  deceived 
respecting  the  character  of  the  work. 

III.  The  revival  of  1800,  which  gave  birth  to  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  church,  is  to  be  distinguished 
from  the  work  which  resulted  in  "  the  New  Light 
schism,'*  so  called.  The  two  have  been,  by  a  certain 
class  of  writers  and  talkers,  too  often  confounded.  At 
this  late  day  all  ought  to  know,  and  all  might  know  by 
a  little  honest  inquiry,  that  they  were  entirely  and 
essentially  different.     These  two  religious  movements 


REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON.  435 

differed  in  the  time  and  place  of  their  commencement  as 
"well  as  in  their  progress  ;  the  adherents  of  the  one  being 
scattered  and  lost  among  other  sects ;  while  the  promoters 
of  the  other,  having  been  born  in  the  revival,  continue 
to  live  in  the  revival,  as  it  progresses  through  their 
instrumentality,  united  and  prosperous  to  the  present 
day.  The  two  were  conducted  by  men,  differing  as 
widely  in  their  doctrinal  views  as  in  the  tests  of  genuine 
conviction  and  conversion,  which  were  recognized  by  the 
parties  respectively;  the  one  relying  too  much  on  dreams, 
visions  and  voices ;  while  the  other  admit  nothing 
unwarranted  by  the  word  of  God.  The  two  works 
agreed  in  nothing,  except  in  certain  external  develop- 
ments, such  as  excited  feehngs,  outcries,  and  bodily 
agitations.  In  all  revivals,  the  genuineness  of  the 
doctrines  preached  as  well  as  of  the  conversions  experi- 
enced are  the  grand  essentials  ;  while  outcries  and  bodily 
affections  are  merely  accidentals. 

How  ministers  of  the  gospel,  accustomed  to  discrimi- 
nate between  the  true  and  the  false,  and  desiring  to 
distinguish  what  Is  genuine  from  what  is  spurious,  ever 
could,  or  now  can  confound  the  revival  conducted  by 
McGready,  Hodge,  McGee,  Ewing,  and  others,  with 
the  excitement  under  Stone,  Marshal,  and  the  New 
Lights,  is  altogether  unaccountable.  It  is  an  error, 
injurious  as  it  is  unjust.  It  may  have  originated  with 
some  from  a  want  of  due  information.  It  may  have 
been  perpetuated  among  others  by  the  violence  of  party 
spirit.  And  it  may  have  had  countenance  and  encour- 
asement  from  those  who  saw  the  difficulties  in  which  the 


436  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

Commission  of  Kentucky  Synod  had  involved  themselves, 
and  perhaps  thought  the  necessities  of  their  case  required 
some  color  of  justification,  for  so  egregious  blunders 
and  unconstitutional  acts. 

But  a  Presbyterian  divine  of  the  Old  School,  the 
learned  Dr.  Davidson,  has  written  and  published,  as 
late  as  the  year  1847,  "  a  history  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  in  the  State  of  Kentucky  ;  "  and  his  work  bears 
many  marks  of  candor  and  impartiality.  Surely  it 
might  have  been  expected  that  such  a  man  would  speak 
the  truth  in  love,  on  so  important  a  subject,  alike 
regardless  of  any  lingering  party  reluctance  and  of  the 
apprehension  of  consequences  to  his  own  sect.  He  was 
in  no  way  connected  with  the  revival  of  1800,  nor 
enlisted  in  the  ranks  of  its  opposers ;  and  consequently 
his  character  was  not  staked  on  the  success  of  that 
opposition.  Had  his  spiritual  pride  been  wounded  and 
his  ecclesiastical  ambition  counteracted  by  the  current 
of  events,  the  prospect  of  justice  at  his  hands  had  been 
less.  Had  he  seen  those  whom  he  would  have  rejected 
and  prohibited,  rising  to  an  eminence  and  usefulness 
'  which  commanded  the  attention  and  admiration  of 
thousands,  while  he  could  gain  the  hearing  of  only  as 
many  tens  or  hundreds,  an  occasional  burst  of  bitterness 
would  have  been  neither  unnatural  nor  unpardonable. 
Or  had  he  seen  those  whom  he  had  stigmatized,  as  a 
disorderly  sect,  endeavored  to  suppress  and  blot  out  of 
ecclesiastical  existence,  advancing  in  a  career  of  useful- 
ness which  his  own  sect  has  never  equaled,  and  growing  , 
in  numbers  which  his  own  cannot  long  surpass,  he  might 


REVIEW    OP    DAVIDSON.  437 

have  found  an  apology  for  writing  as  a  partizan.  But 
free  from  party  bias  of  these  kinds,  it  was  not  to  be 
expected  that  he  would,  in  a  history  of  the  revival  of 
1800,  confound  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  with  the 
New  Lights,  or  charge  upon  the  former,  delusions 
similar  to  those  which  misled  and  disgraced  the  latter. 
And  that  a  writer  of  his  general  candor  has  done  so, 
can  only  be  accounted  for  on  the  supposition  that  he  has 
derived  his  information  from  prejudiced  sources,  or  from 
those  who  had  an  interest  in  affording  some  show  of 
justification  for  the  Commission  of  Kentucky  Synod  :  and 
therefore  the  historian  has  been  cgregiously  imposed  upon. 
But  the  reader  may  inquire  with  astonishment,  has 
the  good  Dr.  Davidson  indeed  assimilated  or  associated 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  with  the  New  Lights  and 
their  odious  errors?  Truth  compels  the  answer,  that  he 
has  certainly  done  so.  Several  passages,  bearing  more 
or  less  on  this  point,  might  be  referred  to ;  but  an 
extract  from  his  ninth  chapter,  on  what  he  styles  '"  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Schism"  must  suffice.  After 
having  given  in  previous  chapters  a  most  disgusting 
account  of  the  extravagances  and  disorders  of  the  Ne>v' 
Lights,*  their  doctrinal  errors,  ridiculous  tergiversations, 

*  Chapter  sixth  of  the  History  is  devoted  "  to  the  Extravagances 
and  Disorders  of  the  Revival,"  as  though  the  revival  itself  were 
chargeable  with  them.  But  when  examination  is  made  with  a  view 
to  ascertain;  who  were  really  guilty;  it  becomes  evident  from  tlie 
actors  in  those  scenes,  from  the  places  where  they  occurred  and 
from  the  persons  who  witnessed  and  reported  them,  that  they  are 
chargeable,  with  scarcely  an  exception,  upon  the  New  Light  sect. 
Who  were  the  actors  ■?  .Persons  figuring  among  the  New  Lights,  who 


438  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

and  foul  apostasies  to  Shakerism,  he  begins  the  chapter 
as  follows : 

"  Unlike  the  still  small  voice,  or  the  softly  flowing 
waters  of  Siloa,  the  great  revival  of  1800  rather  re- 
sembled the  whirlwind,  the  earthquake,  the  impetuous 
torrent,  whose  track  was  marked  by  violence  and  deso- 
lation. While  numbers  in  the  northern  and  central 
portions  of  Kentucky  were  running  into  the  vagaries  of 
the  New  Lights,  or  rushing  from  one  extreme  of  wild 
extravagance  to  the  other  of  Shaker  mysticism,  the 
south-western  portion  witnessed  the  gradual  maturing 
of  preparations  for  similar  delusions,  and  a  more  per- 
manent schism." 

were  unknown,  except  by  report,  to  the  ministers  and  people  in  the 
Green  Eiver  and  Cumberland  settlements.  Where  did  they  occur? 
In  central  and  upper  Kentucky,  where  the  New  Lights  bore  sway- 
Who  has  reported,  and  from  whom  did  the  histoi-ian  derive  his  facts  ? 
From  the  book  of  McNemar,  the  Shaker,  and  the  Diary  of  Mr.  Lyle. 
All  this  is  according  to  the  historian's  own  showing.  McNemar 
could  have  known  nothing  personally,  nor  has  he  reported  any  thing, 
of  what  occurred  in  the  Green  River  and  Cumberland  settlements,  for 
it  does  not  appear  that  he  was  there  during  the  time.  And  Lyle 
could  have  known  as  little,  while  keeping  his  Diary  during  the  years 
1801,  1802  and  1803;  for  it  appears  from  the  Diary  itself,  that  it 
records  onlj^  what  he  witnessed  among  those  who  aftei'wards  were 
called  New  Lights.  And  the  historian  shows  that  Lyle's  tour  of  two 
months  in  the  Green  River  country,  was  not  until  1805;  and  his 
Journal  refers  to  what  he  witnessed  during  that  time.  With  what 
right  or  reason  then  are  these  "Extravagances  and  Disorders" 
charged  upon  the  revival,  in  the  Green  River  and  Cumberland  settle- 
ments, which  gave  birth  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  ? 
The  Christian  world  has  a  right  to  know.  Posterity  will  demand  an 
answer.  But  to  explain  this,  on  any  just  principles,  will  puzzle  even 
the  sagacity  of  a  Jesuit. 


EEVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  439 

In  the  above  extract,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians 
are  charged  with  delusions,  similar  to  those  of  the  Kew 
Lights  and  the  Shakers.  This  charge,  published  to  the 
world  by  a  Presbyterian  divine,  a  man  of  piety  and 
learning,  is  either  true  or  false.  If  it  is  true,  they 
who  have  rendered  themselves  obnoxious  to  the  charge 
deserve  discountenance  and  censure  from  the  Christian 
■world ;  but  if  false,  those  who  imposed  upon  the  his- 
torian's creduUty,  tempting  him  to  vend  so  vile  a  slander, 
ought  to  hide  their  heads  in  shame  and  confusion. 
What  though  the  candid  historian  does  evince  occasional 
fondness  for  splendid  passages  and  sonorous  periods  ? 
This  is  allowable  in  so  great  a  scholar  and  so  fine  a 
writer.  What  though  he  has  excercised  his  taste  in  the 
above  extract  ?  It  contains  matter  for  the  investigation 
of  the  whole  Christian  world  ?  and  an  impartial  verdict 
will  be  awarded,  either  for  or  against  the  accused  as  well 
as  the  accuser.  What  though  his  dehut  in  this  chapter 
was  intended  to  be  as  brilliant,  as  it  is  elaborate.  The 
charge  is  obvious,  the  slander  palpable. 

It  is  fortunate  that  this  charge,  so  ungenerous  and 
unjust,  can  be  so  easily  refuted.  More  than  a  hundred 
thousand  Cumberland  Presbyterians  will,  all  and  each, 
repudiate  it.  All  other  denominations  will  deny  it. 
Presbyterians  themselves,  whether  Old  or  New  School, 
who  have  had  any  intercourse  with  the  accused,  will  do 
•justice  to  ti'mth,  and  contradict  it.  Thousands  of 
respectable  witnesses,  belonging  to  no  church,  can 
testify  with  what  zeal,  ability,  and  success  the  Cumber- 
land   Presbyterians    ha.ye.    in    times    past,    contended 


440  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

against  the  New  Light  errorists,  insomuch  that  this 
heresy  seldom  dares,  in  these  days,  to  raise  its  deformed 
head  within  the  bounds  of  their  operations.  In  trutli. 
New  Lightism  is  dead  and  buried  :  no  thanks  to  th'? 
historian  and  his  informants.  And  in  addition  to  all 
this  testimony,  Dr.  Davidson  himself  shall  refute  his 
own  charge.  He  shall,  indeed,  bear  testimony  dis- 
proving his  own  accusation.  This  he  shall  do  fully 
and  unequivocally,  in  the  following  extract  from  his 
history.  Speaking  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians ;. 
he  says : 

"  They  endeavored,  in  the  altered  edition  of  the 
Confession  and  Catechisms,  to  steer  a  middle  course 
between  Calvinism  and  Arminianism,  (if  a  middle- 
course  there  can  be,)  rejecting  the  doctrines  of  eternal 
reprobation,  limited  atonement,  and  special  grace,  and 
maintaining  that  the  Spirit  of  God  operates  on  th© 
■world,  or  co-extensively  with  the  atonement,  so  as  to- 
leave  all  men  inexcusable."* 

Here  is  the  Pi-esbyterian  Confession  of  Faith,  with 
the  alterations  above  specified.  Are  there  any  delusions 
here,  similar  to  those  of  the  New  Lights  or  the  Shakers  ? 
Dr.  Davidson  and  his  informants,  with  down-cast  eyes 

*  Dn.v.  His,  p.  256.  No  historian  has  any  right  to  give  his  owa 
inference  for  fact :  some  men's  inferences  are  not  just.  He  represents 
the  Cumberk\nd  Presbyterians  as  rejecting  "  the  doctrine  of  special 
grace."  He  may  have  itiftrrcd  or  thought  so,  but  had  no  right  to  say 
60.  Wliere  docs  he  derive  authority  for  thisl  He  refers  in  a  note 
to  "  Religious  Encych  Buck,  art.  Cumb.  Presb.,"  for  the  trutli  of  his 
•whole  statement.  But  neither  of  these  works  sustain  him  Neither 
of  them  speak  of  the  rejection  of  "  special  grace." 


REVIEW   OP   DAVIDSOIT.  441 

and  blushing  cheeks,  are  compelled  to  answer  NO. 
Truth  is  omnipotent. 

IV.  Tliis  confounding  of  the  two  different  works  pro- 
bably had  much  influence  on  the  proceedings  of  Kentucky 
Synod  and  the  sanction  of  the  General  Assembly  :  other 
causes  doubtless  contributed  to  the  same  results.  This 
will  appear  abundantly  evident,  by  fair  deductions  from 
well  authenticated  facts,  compared  with  the  statements 
of  the  historian,  on  the  subjects  following. 

1.  Opi^osition  to  the  revival.  The  historion  admits 
that  the  forty-five  persons,  hopefully  converted,  at  the 
first  regular  camp-meeting,  held  by  Mr.  McGready  and 
others  at  Gasper  river  church,  in  1800,  "  at  a  subsequent 
period,  afforded  every  evidence,  by  their  conduct,  of 
genuine  conversions."  This  goes  far  to  confirm  a 
similar  statement  of  Mr.  McGready,  respecting  the 
numerous  conversions  of  the  three  preceding  years. 
On  the  same  page,  Dr.  Davidson,  speaking  of  the  clergy 
of  the  Green  river  and  Cumberland  countries,  where,  it 
•will  be  recollected,  the  revival  commenced  and  progressed 
nearly  four  years  before  the  New  Light  excitement 
commenced  in  central  and  upper  Kentucky,  says  that 
Messrs.  McGready,  Hodge,  McGee,  McAdow,  and 
Rankin,  were  the  only  supporters  of  that  revival.  He 
then  adds,  that  "  all  the  rest  of  their  brethren  disapproved 
and  discountenanced  the  work  from  its  commencement, 
as  spurious."  *  It  may  be  fairly  inferred,  therefore, 
that  all  the  clergy  of  that  region,  except  the  five  above 
named,  were  not  consistent  Presbyterians:   for  oppo- 

•P»g6l85. 


442  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

sition  to  a  genuine  revival  of  religion  is  not  consistent 
with  Presbyterianism.  And  this  inference  receives  the 
strength  of  the  fullest  assurance,  when  it  is  remembered 
that  the  most  prejudiced  party  writers  agree,  that  the 
work  in  its  earlier  stages  Avas  genuine. 

2.  Party  spirit.  The  historian  testifies  that,  in 
1803,  the  ten  ministers,  composing  the  new  Cumberland 
Presbytery,  were  divided  into  the  revival  and  anti- 
revival  parties,  equally  balanced  ;  that  these  parties 
were  distinctly  marked,  and  held  no  intercourse  with 
■each  other,  except  when  thrown  together  at  the  eccle- 
siastical meetings.*  This  Avas,  indeed,  a  lamentable 
state  of  things:  "  Every  city  or  house  divided  against 
itself,  shall  not  stand."  |  Craighead,  that  "  man  of 
t)rilliant  talents,  that  staunch  champion  for  discipline  and 
order,"  J  ceased  not  to  decry  the  revival,  and  clamor 
against  its  promoters.  Balch,  less  skillful  in  argument, 
•could  ridicule  the  doctrines  of  faith,  repentance,  and 
regeneration.  Their  associates,  uith  feebler  powers  and 
less  influence,  nevertheless  acted  in  concert.  There  is 
no  evidence  that  the  ministers  of  the  evangelical  or 
revival  party  ever  undertook  to  repel  these  attacks. 
Neither  Smith  nor  Davidson  make  mention  of  any  thing 
of  the  kind.  And  from  the  recollection  of  several 
surviving  witnesses,  it  would  appear,  that,  grieved  and 
afflicted  as  they  must  have  been,  they  labored  inces- 
santly, "  endeavoring  to  keep  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in 
the  bond  of  peace."  They  probably  felt  that  they  were 
doing  a  great  work,  so  that  they  could  not  come  down  § 

*  Page  228.  +  Matthew  xii,  26.  i  Dav.  His  ,  p.  228.  $  Xeh.  tj.  8. 


REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON.  443 

to  strive  with  their  brethren  about  words  to  no  profit.* 
The  conduct  of  the  anti-revival  party  was  not  long  in 
producing  its  mischievous  fruits  ;  and  a  violent,  grievous, 
and  wide  spread  party  spirit  was  engendered. 

*  Wranglers  for  orthodoxy  and  order,  like  those,  are  apt  to  wax 
warmer  and  grow  fiercer,  the  more  they  are  noticed.  As  a  general 
rule,  men  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit  would  do  well  to  let  them  alone, 
especially  in  a  season  of  revival.  God  will  take  care  of  his  own 
cause.  He  needs  no  carnal  weapons  to  defend  it.  However  much 
the  friends  of  the  revival  and  the  good  cause  itself  may  have  suffered 
by  the  unreasonable  conduct  of  the  opposition,  it  is  probable  that 
they  suffered  far  less  than  they  would  have  done,  if  they  had 
returned  railing  for  railing.  In  revivals  of  religion,  partj--  spirit  and 
bitter  controversy  are  generally  attended  with  evil,  and  only  evil. 
Who  can  tell  but  the  continuance  of  the  great  revival  of  1800,  for  so 
great  a  number  of  years,  is  owing  to  the  wise  and  amiable  forbear- 
ance of  its  friends  and  promotei's  ?  Very  different  is  the  history  of 
the  New  Light  excitement  which  arose,  like  a  brilliant  meteor,  and 
having  spent  its  force,  sunk  into  the  slough  of  loathsome  errors. 
Who  and  how  many  were  censurable,  it  is  not  easy  to  determine. 
It  is  to  be  feared  that  some  did  not ''  walk  in  all  lowliness  and  meek- 
ness, with  long  suffering,  forbearing  one  another  in  love." 

Among  a  number  of  significant  examples,  the  historian  gives  the 
following : 

"  The  sacraments  no  longer  presented  the  pleasing  spectacle  of 
brethren  in  unity.  The  stand  was  converted  into  an  arena  for  contro- 
versy. If  Stone  promulgated  his  errors,  Lyle  and  Cameron  felt  it  to 
be  their  duty  to  counteract  the  subtle  poison  by  broader  exhibitions 
of  the  opposite  truth.  If  Blythe  preached  according  to  the  West- 
minster Confession,  Marshall  took  offense,  supposing  it  to  have  been 
done  out  of  contradiction  to  him.  In  private  he  ridiculed  Blythe 
for  adhering  so  closely  to  the  track  of  the  Confession ;  and  when 
taken  aside  for  a  conference  by  Lyle,  Blythe  and  McPheeters,  he 
flew  into  a  rage  and  accused  them  of  misrepresenting  him  ;  thou"-h 
he  afterwards  professed  to  be  reconciled ;  "  page  168. 

It  may  be  questioned,  whether  it  would  not  have  been  better  for 


444  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

3.  Loss  of  influence. — The  historian,  anxious  to 
acquit  the  Presbyterian  clergy  of  any  extravagant 
irregularities  in  the  revival,  says,  "  as  a  body,  they 
neither  originated  nor  countenanced  them  ;  and  their 
influence  and  popularity  were  in  some  instances  pros- 
trated in  consequence."  *  This  may  have  been  the 
case  in  more  instances  than  in  those  of  the  anti-revival 
party  in  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  ;  with  respect  to 
them,  doubtless,  the  statement  is  literally  true.  For 
however  successful  for  a  time  in  stirring  up  strife  in 
several  places,  more  especially  in  the  Shiloh  congrega- 
tion, as  the  revival  continued  to  increase  in  power  and 
extent,  they  at  length  found  themselves  in  a  considerable 
degree  deserted  by  the  pious  and  intelhgent  of  their  own, 
as  well  as  other  churches.  But  comparatively  few 
cared  to  attend  on  their  ministry  or  to  hear  them  preach, 
when  they  could  hear  any  others  ;  while  the  people 
flocked  in  crowds  to  the  appointments  of  the  men  whom 
they  were  so  bitterly  opposing.  Their  mortification, 
which  must  have  been  extreme,  so  far  from  humbling 
them,  seems  to  have  stimulated  them  to  renewed  and 
more  vigorous  efforts.  Hence  they  uniformly  and 
persevei'ingly  opposed  the  exhorters,  their  licensure  and 
ordination :  not  so  much  out  of  unfriendliness  to  these 

the  parties  to  have  "  held  no  intercourse  nith  each  other,  except 
when  thrown  together  at  the  ecclesiastical  meetings,"  rather  than  to 
have  made  the  sacraments  a  scene  of  contention,  and  the  stand  an 
arena  of  controversy.  Both  of  tliese  parties  would  seem  to  bear 
very  little  resemblance  to  the  revival  party  iu  the  Green  river  and 
Cumberland  settlements. 

•Day.  His.,  p,  140. 


REVIEW   OP   DAVIDSON.  445 

young  men,  as  to  those  who  were  anxious  to  employ 
them  as  assistants  in  promoting  the  revival.  Hence 
but  little  could  be  done  in  the  Presbytery,  without 
"  warm  opposition  and  protracted  discussion."  Hence 
they  objected  to,  and  dissented  from,  certain  acts  of 
Presbytery,  and  finally  sent  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
the'ivfama  clamosa  letter,  already  noticed.  But  when, 
after  a  term  of  years,  they  saw  these  same  young  men 
whom  they  had  now  learned  to  dislike  —  some  men  soon 
learn  to  disUke  those  whom  they  have  unsuccessfully 
opposed  —  acquiring  an  influence  and  popularity  even 
superior  to  what  they  felt  conscious  of  having  once 
enjoyed  but  now  lost,  by  opposing  them ;  and  rising  to 
an  eminence  and  usefulness  which  they  despaired  of 
ever  equaling ;  their  ecclesiastical  ambition  must  have 
experienced  a  check  as  mortifying  as  severe.  They  had 
exhausted  their  entire  strength,  in  their  own  Presbytery 
and  section  of  country,  but  without  avail.  They  must 
now  look  to  the  Synod  and  other  sections,  for  sympathy 
and  assistance.  Disappointed  and  defeated  at  home, 
they  hoped  for  better  success  abroad.  It  is  probable, 
however,  that  they  never  would  have  met  with  sympathy 
nor  success,  by  means  of  that/awza  clamosa  letter,  but 
for  the  occurrence  of  the  New  Light  excitement  and 
the  skillful  use  they  were  enabled  to  make  of  circum- 
stances and  events,  growing  out  of  the  same. 

4.  Cliaracter  and  sentiments  of  ministers.  Among 
those  of  central  and  upper  Kentucky,  there  were  many 
pious  men.  They  were  no  enemies  to  revivals.  They 
relied  upon  the  truth,  and  not  impulses,  dreams,  and 


446  REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON. 

inward  impressions.  They  tried  the  spirits,  whether 
they  were  of  God.  They  were  filled  with  astonishment 
on  witnessing  the  bodily  agitations,  but  ascribed  them 
neither  to  the  agency  of  the  devil,  nor  to  the  Spirit  of 
God ;  nor  did  they  regard  them  as  any  evidence, 
either  for  or  against  sound  conversion.  At  first  they 
appear  to  have  viewed  and  treated  them,  as  did  the 
revival  party  in  the  Cumberland  settlement ;  they  simply 
let  them  alone,  neither  encouraging  nor  discouraging 
them.  It  was  not  until  after  the  New  Light  party  had 
so  egregiously  abused  them,  encouraging  each  other  to 
'■'■praise  God  in  the  dance,"  *  that  Mr.  Lyle  and  others 
could  preach  two  or  three  hours  against  bodily  exercise. 
Had  these  men  fairly  understood  the  character  of  the 
revival  and  its  promoters,  in  the  Green  River  and 
Cumberland  countries,  before  they  had  seen  and  deplored 
the  doctrinal  errors  and  absurd  practices  of  the  New 
Lights  in  their  midst,  they  doubtless  would  have  approved 
and  co-operated  with  the  former.  Or  had- they  investi- 
gated without  prejudice,  they  would  have  discovered 
that  the  two  works  bore  no  resemblance,  except  in 
certain  external  developments,  more  or  less  incident  to  all 
great  religious  excitements  ;  and  then  they  might  have 
been  precious  brethren  and  co-laborers  with  McGready, 
Hodge,  McGee,  Ewing,  King,  and  others.  Even  in 
1801,  after  the  great  Cane  Ridge  camp  meeting  among 
the  New  Lights,  where  there  were  bodily  agitations  in 
abundance,  and  three  thousand  are  said  to  have  fallen, 
old  Father  Rice,  Blythe,  Stuart,  Lyle,  and  Cameron, 

•Dav.  His.,  p.  151 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  44T 

though  not  the  advocates  of  disorder,  were  filled  with 
surprise  and  wonder.*  "  They  might  be  compared," 
savs  the  historian,  ''  to  the  pious  Jews  who  saw  the 
paralytic  healed  with  a  word,  and  were  amazed  and 
glorified  God,  saying,  '  we  never  saw  it  on  this  fashion.^ 
Far  from  caviling,  they  hoped  that  this  sudden  and 
extensive  religious  movement  would  prove  of  a  solid  and 
salutary  character.  Even  the  spasmodic  convulsions, 
the  falling  down,  and  sudden  convictions,  they  regarded 
■with  interest.  These  good  men  had  long  mourned  the 
deep  declension  of  the  church,  and  had  trembled  at  the 
triumphant  ascendancy  of  deism,  rabid  and  intolerant, 
and  they  almost  hoped  that,  inasmuch  as  the  days  of 
miracles  were  past,  yet  nothing  short  of  a  miracle  could 
Bave  religion,  Providence  was  pleased  to  permit  these 
strange  spectacles  in  lieu  af  miracles,  to  arrest  attention, 
and  thus  gain  access  for  the  power  of  truth.  In  the 
truth  alone  ^^  —  doubtless  applied  to  the  heart  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  is  to  be  understood  —  "they  placed  their 
final  dependence,  as  the  means  of  conversion.  Nothing 
in  their  view  could  supersede  evangelical  truth,  though 
other  things  might  prepare  the  way  for  its  reception. "f 
Here  are  sound  views  and  consistent  conduct,  in 
harmony  with  the  sentiments  and  practice  of  the  pro- 
moters of  the  awakening  of  1740  as  well  as  of  the 
instruments  of  the  revival  of  1800.  And  scarcely  the 
shadow  of  doubt  remains,  if  the   leaders  of  the  New 

*  To  these  might  be  added  I>r.  Cleland  and  others,  who  afterwards 
fell  into  the  New  School  ranks. 

t  Dav.  Hia.,  p.  139. 


448  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

Light  movement  had  acted  according  to  these  views, 
that  the  anti-revival  partj  would  have  stood  alone  and 
unaided  in  their  opposition.  But  Avhen  the  New  Lights 
began  to  develop  their  erroneous  doctrines  and  absurd 
practices,  the  pious  ministers  of  upper  Kentucky  became 
justly  alarmed.  They  began  to  think  about  stemming 
this  torrent  of  mischief.  But  unfortunately  considering 
the  revival  in  the  Green  river  and  Cumberland  countries 
as  the  true  parent,  and  erroneously  regarding  the  New 
Light  excitement  as  the  legitimate  offspring,  they  were 
in  the  precise  position  to  be  misled  into  the  error  and 
injustice  of  confounding  the  former  with  the  latter. 
Their  danger  of  this  mistake  was  the  greater,  because 
the  New  Lights  were  all  around  them,  where  they  must 
be  continually  afflicted  by  witnessing  their  aberrations ; 
while  the  revival  party  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery 
and  the  scene  of  their  operations  were  at  a  distance ; 
and  their  opinions  of  the  latter  must  be  formed  from 
such  reports  as  might  be  made  to  them.  Reports  soon 
came  from  the  contentious  and  disappointed  anti-revival 
party,  unfavorable  as  might  be  expected  from  such  men ; 
and  the  fama  clamosa  letter  of  Craighead  and  others 
seems  to  have  wrought  in  the  minds  of  these  good  men, 
the  unjust  and  ungenerous  result :  that  of  wrongfully 
confounding  the  Cumberland  revival  with  the  New  Light 
excitement. 

6.    Tlie   Commission   and  Kentucky  Synod*     The 

*  The  attentive  reader  of  Dr.  Davidson's  history  cannot  help  being 
a  little  amused  at  the  author's  various  attempts  to  justify  the  Synod 
of  Kentucky  in  their  proceedings  against  the  Cumberland  Presbytery. 


REVIEW   OP  DAVIDSON.  449 

distinguished  ministers  of  central  and  upper  Kentucky, 
already  referred  to,  constituted  the  source  and  centre 
of  influence   and  of  ecclesiastical  power,  in  the  Synod 

Sometimes  he  almost  manifests  a  disposition,  even  by  bad  logic,  to 
forestall  the  judgment  of  liis  readers  in  favor  of  those  proceedings. 
This,  were  it  not  for  his  known  candor,  would  seem  to  betray  a  con- 
sciousness of  the  great  necessities  of  the  Synod's  case.  An  instance 
of  this  occurs  on  page  79,  where  he  speaks  of  a  Commission  consti- 
tuted by  order  of  Hanover  Presbytery  to  examine  and  ordain 
Messrs.  Crawford  and  Templin.  In  this  occurrence,  he  says,  the 
following  circumstance  is  worthy  of  notice  :  "  The  appointment  of  a 
Commission,  invested  with  full  Presbyterial  powers  and  functions  for  a 
specific  purpose,  a  precedent  that  may  be  borne  in  mind  when  we 
come  to  speak  of  the  Commission  in  1805,  against  whose  jurisdiction 
exceptions  were  taken  on  account  of  their  investment  witli  Synodical 
powers  for  a  specific  purpose." 

It  is  very  remarkable  indeed  that  tlie  following  points  of  differ- 
ence in  the  two  cases  could  by  any  possibility  escape  the  penetration 
of  the  learned  and  logical  historian:  1.  The  exceptions  taken 
against  the  jurisdiction  of  the  Synod's  Commission  were  not  so 
much,  because  they  were  invested  with  Synodical  powers,  as  because 
they  arrogated  to  themselves  powers  which  no  Synod  ever  did  or  ever 
can  iiossc-ss  by  the  constitution  of  the  church.  2.  The  Presbytery's 
Commission  were  to  perform  a  clearly  defined  act,  the  usual  and 
ordinary  ceremonies  of  ordination ;  while  the  Synod's  Commission 
were  to  perform  acts  —  either  not  defined,  or,  if  defined,  they  were 
exceeded  and  overreached  —  which  were  to  be  graduated  according 
to  circumstances,  by  the  submission  or  refusal  of  tlie  Presbytery  to 
surrender  the  rights  of  conscience  and  betray  the  rights  of  Presbytery 
to  their  unusual  and  before  unheard  of  demands.  3.  The  appoint- 
ment and  the  power  to  do  a  thing  just  and  lawful  never  can  authorize 
an  appointment  and  a  power  to  do  things  unjust  and  unlawful.  And 
the  unlawfulness  of  those  things  is  settled  by  the  Assembly's  action 
in  1816,  in  the  case  of  Geneva  Presbytery. 

Surely  the  historian  and  his  readers  must  see  that,  in  finding  "  a 
precedent,"  the  good  man  did  not,  in  this  instance,  exercise  his  usual 
penetration.    His  logic  is  lame,  and  his  failure  is  palpable. 

38 


450  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

of  Kentucky,  especially  when  acting  in  unison  with  so 
"  great  a  luminary  "  as  Dr.  Craighead,  backed  by  the 
anti-revival  party.  All  know  how  difficult  it  is  to 
remove  prejudices  and  prepossessions,  when  they  have 
obtained  a  lodgment  in  conscientious  hearts.  And  the 
minds  of  these  good  men  once  biased  by  the  misrep- 
resentations of  the  fama  clamosa   letter,*   and   other 

*  That  this  common  fame  letter  was  an  iniquitous  affair,  gotten  up 
by  men  who  were  not  too  scrupulous  to  slander  their  brethren,  but 
quite  too  tender  of  their  own  characters  to  allow  themselves  to  be 
made  responsible  for  the  truth  of  what  it  contained,  is  clearly  evident 
from  the  Council's  letter  of  remonstrance  to  the  General  Assembly, 
in  1807.  A  few  extracts  are  here  given,  the  truth  of  which  is 
incontrovertible. 

"  Thus,  while  the  glorious  work  prevailed,  love  and  harmony 
abounded  among  ministers,  exhorters,  and  people.  A  few  of  our 
opposing  brethren  in  the  Presbytery  carried  up  to  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky  a  common  fame  letter,  formed  by  themselves.  In  this 
letter  they  grossly  misrepresented  our  characters,  conduct,  and  the 
doctrines  we  taught.  Although  they  were  eye  and  ear  witnesses  of 
all  we  did,  in  a  Presbyterial  capacity,  yet  they  stated  them  as  circu- 
lating reports,  and  declared,  at  the  same  time,  that  they  did  not  offer 
them  as  complaints,  nor  feel  themselves  bound  to  support  those 
charges." 

Probably,  at  the  present  time,  there  could  not  be  collected  from  any 
or  all  the  branches  of  the  great  Presbyterian  family,  eleven  ministers 
and  two  elders  so  little  skilled  in  the  government  and  discipline  of 
their  own  church,  that  they  could  regard  a  document  like  this  fama 
clamosa  letter,  otherwise  than  as  slanderous  and  unworthy  of  notice, 
and  its  authors  as  deserving  severe  reprehension.  But  who  can  set 
bounds  to  party  spirit,  or  restrain  its  venom,  under  peculiar  circum- 
stances, from  infecting  honest  but  ill-informed  minds  ?  The  authors 
of  this  common  fame  letter  doubtless  expected  some  advantage  to  their 
waning  influence,  but  scarcely  di-eamed  of  the  adoption  of  their  entire 
cause  by  any  judicature. 

The  Council's  letter  of  remonstrance,  speaking  of  the  Commission, 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  451 

calumnious  reports  from  a  kindred  source,  were  fully 
prepared  for  taking  strong  measures.     Having  so  long 

invested  with  full  Svnodical  power,  before  whom  the  revival  ministers 
ef  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  and  all  the  young  men,  had  been  cited 
to  appear,  also  states  the  following :  "  Wo  appeared  aecordingly, 
and  produced  the  minutes  of  our  Presbytery,  and  expected  them  to 
serve  as  written  testimony  of  facts.  But  the  Commission  paid  very 
Kttle  regard  to  them.  They  took  the  common  fame  letter,  formed 
their  docket  from  it,  and  arranged  their  charges  against  us  in  the 
same  order  tliey  stood  in  the  letter.  We  plead  to  be  taken  on  our 
minutes,  which  were  written  testimony  of  all  we  had  done.  And,  if 
they  took  us  upon  that  letter,  that  they  would  call  forward  the  authors 
thereof,  who  had  subsci-ibed  their  names  to  it,  and  agreeably  to 
discipline,  on  charges  exhibited  against  a  gospel  minister,  require 
them  to  support  those  charges,  or  stand  liable  to  censure  for  slanderous 
reports.  But  the  Commission,  regardless  of  all  our  entreaties,  com- 
manded us  to  order."  *  *  *  "At  the  same  time,  our  accusers 
were  free  from  any  fears  of  being  censured  for  false  and  slanderous 
charges." 

No  one  acquainted  with  Presbyterial  government  will  deny,  that 
there  was  a  palpable  violation  of  disciphne.  It  is  noticeable,  that  the 
prudent  historian  does  not  give  this  letter  of  remonstrance,  and  only 
alludes  to  it  with  a  few  sneers.  Nor  does  he  give  the  Commission's 
resolution  respecting  the  common  Jame  letter  of  Craighead  and  others, 
which  worked  so  mighty  a  mischief.  This  has  been  given  on  pa^e 
354  of  this  work.  Smith  proves  incontrovertibly,  that  in  consequence 
of  this  the  Synod  appointed  the  Commission,  by  whose  own  showing 
the  business  came  before  them  irregularly,  they  took  it  up  irre"-u- 
larly;  and  the  whole  of  their  proceedings,  from  first  to  last,  were 
irregular  and  unconstitutional.*  What  a  strange  but  discreet  omission 
by  a  historian  of  the  church !  Had  not  Dr.  Davidson  and  Smith 
access  to  the  A'ery  same  records  ?  But  the  former  may  have  over- 
looked, while  the  latter  specially  noticed,  the  resolution  which  not 
only  brings  out  the  stubborn  and  humiliating  fact  concerning  the 
common  fame  letter,  but  renders  null  and  void  the  Commission's  whole 
proceedings. 

•Smith,  pp.  611,  612. 


452  REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON. 

endured  the  abhorred  doctrines  and  practices  of  the 
New  Lights,  their  renunciation  of  the  authority  of  Synod, 
their  formation  of  a  new  sect,  &c.  ;  they  were  ready  to 
stamp  with  reprobation  and  excision,  any  thing  which 
bore  the  slightest  resemblance  to  a  movement  which  had 
occasioned  them  so  much  disquietude.  The  extracts 
which  the  historian  has  given  from  Lyle's  Diary  and 
Journal,  show  that  there  existed  much  irritation  of 
feeling  at  the  time  ;  of  which  the  anti-revival  party  knew 
how  to  make  a  skillful  use,  and  doubtless  took  a  signal 
advantage. 

"  In  1805,  Mr.  Lyle  was  appointed  by  the  Synod  to 
ride  two  months  in  the  bounds  of  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
and  afterwards  to  sit  as  one  of  the  Commission,  on  the 
difficulties  of  that  body.  Of  this  tour  he  kept  a  journal."  * 
His  qualifications  for  sitting  on  those  diffi:culties  may  be 
judged  af  by  the  extracts  above  alluded  to :  if  a  jury- 
man is  to  be  set  aside  for  having  formed  or  expressed  a 
previous  opinion  upon  the  merits  of  a  cause,  the  party 
which  had  been  cited  before  the  Commission  had  many 
valid  reasons  for  objecting  to  Mr.  Lyle,  But  they  did 
not  object  to  him  more  than  the  others.  If  he  had  given 
his  attention  to  both  parties,  instead  of  confining  it  so 
specially  to  the  anti-revivalists,  he  might  have  become 
better  qualified  to  adjudicate  in  the  case.  But  this  man 
who  "inherited  all  his  father's  pertinacity"! — "this 
man  of  moderate  talents,  not  on  a  par  with  Campbell, 
Cameron,  or  even  Rice  "  | — whose  "disposition  was 
naturally  amiable,  though  he  had  his  weaknesses,  and 

*I>av.  His.,  p.  118-  fib,  p.  117.  tlb,  p.  119. 


KEVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  453 

■was  occasionally  betrayed  into  too  passionate  warmth,"  * 
at  the  end  of  his  tour  oitivo  months,  met  the  Commission, 
as  he  and  others  doubtless  thought,  thoroughly  furnished 
for  the  important  business. 

Not  much  need  be  said  concerning  the  proceedings 
of  that  body,  which  may  safely  be  left  to  the  judgment 
of  impartial  history.  The  best  apology  that  can  be 
made  for  them  would  seem  to  be,  that  they  met  together 
already  disposed  to  take  rigorous  action ;  and  being 
somewhat  unskilled  in  ecclesiastical  government,  the 
practices  and  precedents  of  the  evangelical  church  of 
Scotland,  they  were  deceived  and  betrayed  into  the 
adoption  of  the  cause  of  the  anti-revival  party.  Craig- 
head and  his  associates  were  fully  sustained,  while  the 
revival  party  were  sorely  oppressed,  and  that,  too,  by 
men  whom  they  truly  loved,  and  justly  regarded  as 
real  friends  of  truth  and  righteousness.  In  their 
deep  affliction,  these  persecuted  servants  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  could  say  with  the  Psalmist,  "  For  it  was  not  an 
enemy  that  reproached  me,  then  I  could  have  borne  it : 
neither  was  it  he  that  hated  me  that  did  magnify 
himself  against  me,  then  I  wotild  have  hid  myself  from 
him :  but  it  was  thou,  a  man,  mine  equal,  my  guide,  and 
my  acquaintance.  We  took  sweet  counsel  together, 
and  walked  unto  the  house  of  God  in  company."  f 

Because  the  revival  party  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
bytery refused  to  surrender  all,  whether  ordained, 
licensed,  or  candidates,  to  the  Commission  for  re-exami- 
nation, that  body  cited  all  the  original  revival  ministers 

*  Dav.  ffis.,  p.  119.  t  PsalBOB  It,  la,  13, 14. 


454  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

to  appear  at  the  next  Synod,  to  account  for  said  conduct. 
And  because  the  young  men,  -when  called  on,  refused 
compliance  -with  this  unconstitutional  demand,  believing 
as  they  did,  that  it  would  be  a  crime  against  God  and  a 
good  conscience  thus  to  betray  and  sacrifice  the  rights 
guaranteed  by  discipline  to  Presbyteries,  to  try  and 
examine  their  own  candidates ;  the  Commission  pro- 
hibited all,  whether  learned  or  less  learned,  "  from 
exhorting,  preaching,  and  administering  ordinances, 
&c."  *  Thus,  when  southern  Kentucky  and  Tennessee 
were  overspread  with  one  continuous  flame  of  gracious 
influences,  which  these  humble  men  had  been  the  honored 
instruments  in  lighting  up  ;  while  hundreds  and  thou- 
sands were  rejoicing  in  hope,  and  calling  these  men 
their  spiritual  fathers;  while  other  thousands,  under 
conviction  of  sin,  were  crying  to  these  servants  of  the 
living  God  to  come  to  their  aid,  and  show  unto  them  the 
way  of  salvation,  the  Commission  of  the  Kentucky 
Synod  solemnly  prohibited  all  from  preaching  and  even 
exhorting.  They  doubtless  thought  that  their  prohibition 
would,  and  ought  to  be  regarded.  What  reason  had 
they  to  expect  that  this  extensive  field  would  not  sink 
again  into  darkness  and  desolation,  nor  its  inhabitants 
fall  back  into  their  former  worldliness  and  infidelity  ? 
It  is  not  owing  to  any  plans  or  efibrts  of  the  Commission 
that  these  were  not  the  dreadful  results.  Thanks  be 
to  him  who  inspired  his  afilicted  servants  with  a  zeal, 
firmness,  and  boldness  to  disregard  so  unreasonable  a 
prohibition.      ''  Troubled  on  every  side,  yet  not  dis- 

•Dav.  Hie  ,p  239- 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  455 

tressed;  perplexed,  but  not  in  despair  ;  persecuted,  but 
not  forsaken;  cast  down,  but  not  destroyed" — they 
formed  themselves  into  a  Council,  abstaining  from  Pres- 
byterial  acts,  and  continued  to  preach  and  promote  the 
revival,  which  continued  to  progress ;  "  and  numbers 
were  added  to  the  churches."  *  Pious  hearts  will 
always  sympathize  with  men  suffering  persecution  for 
righteousness'  sake,  but  are  too  apt  to  forget  how  great 
objects  of  commiseration  are  the  persecutors  themselves. 
Indeed,  the  oppressor  is  more  to  be  pitied  than  the 
oppressed ;  the  tyrant  who  kindles  the  fire  more  than 
the  martyr  who  burns. 

Messrs.  Hodge  and  Rankin  attended  the  meeting  of 
the  Synod  of  Kentucky,  not  in  obedience  to  the  Com- 
mission's unconstitutional  citation,  but  by  advice  of  the 
Council,  to  effect  a  reconciUation.  A  committee 
appointed  for  the  purpose  conversed  freely  with  them, 
and  became  "  convinced  the  charge  of  heresy  was 
false."  But  because  they  still  adhered  "  to  the  former 
determination,  not  to  submit  to  the  authority  of  Synod, 
exercised  by  their  Commission,  in  silencing  certain 
young  men  licensed  and  ordained  by  the  Cumberland 
Presbytery"!  —  the  share  which  the  Transylvania 
Presbytery  had  in  making  some  of  these  preachers, 
before  Cumberland  Presbytery  was  ever  constituted, 
must  not  be  forgotten  —  Synod  proceeded  "  to  suspend 
the  said  William  Hodge  and  John  Rankin  from  the 
exercise  of  all  the  functions  of  the  gospel  ministry,  and 
from  the  sacraments  of  the  church,  until  they  manifest 

•  Dav.  ffis ,  p.  243,  and  Smith,  614.         *  Minutes  of  Syn.,  quoted  by  Smith. 


456  REVIEW    OF   DAVIDSON. 

repentance  and  submission."  *  Every  man  who  under- 
stands the  discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  church  must 
acknowledge  with  the  late  Dr.  E.  S.  Ely,  "  that  the 
suspension  of  these  ministers  was  wholly  unconstitu- 
tional, and  ought  to  be  held  to  be  void."  f  Should  the 
inquiry  arise,  what  could  have  possessed  the  Synod 
with  a  spirit  of  rancor,  to  adventure  this  and  other 
tyrannical  measures  ?  it  will  be  a  sufficient  answer,  to 
say  that  Craighead  and  his  partizans  were  there. 

The  Synod  also  dissolved  the  Cumberland  Presbytery, 
and  annexed  its  members  to  the  Transylvania  Presbytery. 
This  measure  was  no  violation  of  the  letter  of  the  Consti- 
tution. But  was  it  according  to  its  sjnrit  ?  If  it  was 
adopted  with  an  eye  single  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
peace  and  purity  of  the  Church,  it  was  certainly  justi- 
fiable, by  the  spirit  as  well  as  the  letter  of  the  discipHne. 
But  if  the  design  was  to  subject  the  revival  ministers 
and  all  the  young  men  to  the  domination  of  the  anti- 
revival  party,  and  to  strengthen  this  party  by  joining 
them  to  Transylvania  Presbytery,  most  of  whose  mem- 
bers had  by  this  time  become  unfriendly  to  the  revival, 
it  was  manifestly  wrong ;  and  a  greater  outrage  upon 
justice  could  scarcely  be  perpetrated,  nor  a  greater 
insult  offered  to  the  revivalists.  But  one  desirous  of 
vindicating  the  Synod  might  perhaps  argue,  that  the 
Synod  could  have  no  such  design,  inasmuch  as  the  case 
of  the  Council  or  of  the  revival  ministers  was  beyond  the 
control  of  a  Presbytery,  it  having  been  already  acted  on 
by  the  Kentucky  Synod,  from  whence  it  must  go  up  by 

*  Minutes  of  Syn.,  quoted  by  Smith,  \  Smith,  617. 


REVIEW  OP   DAVIDSON.  467 

anpeal  or  remonstrance  to  the  General  Assembly.  If 
the  case  should  afterwards  be  submitted  to  Transylvania 
Presbytery,  none  could  be  so  dull  of  understanding  as 
to  mistake  the  design  of  this  re-annexation.  The  progi'es3 
of  events  -will  solve  the  doubt. 

The  Banction  af  the  (xeneral  Assemhhj .  The  ample 
testimony  borne  by  the  General  Assembly,  in  1804,  in 
favor  of  the  genuineness  of  the  revival,  has  already  been 
referred  to.  At  the  General  Assembly  in  May  1807, 
"  the  Cumberland  case  attracted  much  attention,  and 
elicited  a  keen  debate.*  A  letter  from  the  General 
Assembly  to  the  Kentucky  Synod  passed  the  following 
censure  on  the  proceedings  of  the  Synod  and  Commission : 
*'  Your  proceedings  in  demanding  that  the  young  men 
irregularly  licensed  and  ordained,  be  given  up  to  your 
body  for  examination ;  in  suspending  the  irregularly 
ordained  ministers  without  process  in  their  case  ;  and  in 
suspending  Messrs.  Hodge  and  Rankin,  for  not  submit- 
ting to  the  re-examination  of  the  young  men,  are  at 
least  of  questionable  regularity.  They,  therefore,  advise 
that  you  seriously  review  the  proceedings,  and  consider 
whether  some  of  them  ought  not  to  be  rescinded,  and 
steps  speedily  taken  to  mitigate  the  sufferings,  which 
your  censure  appears  to  have  produced,  and  to  remove, 
at  least,  a  part  of  the  complaint  it  has  excited." 

Thus  spake  the  highest  judicatory  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  to  the  erring 
and  ill-informed  Synod  of  Kentucky.  The  whole  letter 
is  quite  dignified,  the  language  entirely  courteous,  the 

•Dar.  His.,  p,  24«. 

89 


458  REVIEW  OP  DAVIDSON. 

censure  very  mild  ;  but  the  recommendation  to  review, 
rescind,  and  to  mitigate  the  sufferings  was  indeed  too 
palpable  and  plain  to  escape  the  comprehension  of  Stuart, 
Blythe,  Cameron,  Lyle,  or  Wilson.  Something  very 
different  from  what  proved  the  actual  result  might  have 
been  anticipated  from  these  good  men.  But  Craighead, 
Balch,  Bowman,  and  their  party,  understood  the  nature 
of  the  censure  and  the  advice  equally  well,  and  must 
have  been  aware  that  to  rescind  and  to  mitigate  would 
tend  to  results,  ruinous  to  their  cause  and  prejudicial  to 
their  already  declining  reputations.  And  the  Commission 
as  well  as  the  Synod,  having  adopted  the  cause  of  the 
opposition,  and  censured  the  revivalists,  doubtless  felt 
the  necessity  of  arguments  for  their  own  justification. 
The  opposition,  favored  beyond  their  hopes,  would  be 
likely  to  furnish  all  the  plausible  arguments  which  their 
party  spirit  had  supplied  them  with,  from  the  beginning 
of  the  revival.  Hence,  with  respect  to  the  revival 
party,  the  anti-revivalists  and  a  majority  of  Kentucky 
Synod  seem  at  this  time  to  have  taken  the  same  stand, 
and  to  have  imbibed  a  similar  spirit.  As  might  be 
expected,  all  the  circumstances  considered,  the  Synod, 
at  their  next  meeting,  "  reviewed  their  proceedings  ;  " 
and  a  majority  "  re-aj0firmed  all  their  decisions."  *  The 
historian  records  this,  apparently  without  a  blush  ;  and 
it  is  manifest  that  he  does  not  merely  excuse,  but  actually 
justifies  the  Synod.  No  one  can  doubt  from  whence  he 
derived  the  materials  which  moulded  his  sentiments. 
Further  light  may   be   shed   on  the   views   of  this 

•  Dav.  His.,  p.  247  and  248. 


■REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON'.  459 

General  Assembly,   by  the  following  extracts  from  a 
letter  addressed  to  Mr.  Hodge,  about  the  same  time : 

"  Eev.  and  Dear  Sir  :  —  Although  personally  unknown  to  you  in 
the  flesh,  I  have  a  humble  hope  we  may  have  drank  in  the  same 
blessed  Spirit.  Mr.  Trigg,  of  your  country,  can  inform  you  of  my 
character  and  standing  in  this  place.  I  hold  a  humble  membership 
in  the  First  Presbyterian  church  in  this  city,  formerly  under  the 
pastoral  care  of  Rev.  Dr.  Ewing,  deceased,  now  under  the  care  of 
Rev.  James  P,  Wilson. 

"  The  unhappy  difference  in  your  quarter  of  our  church,  so  imme- 
diately succeeding  wliat  the  great  proportion  of  the  Presbyterian 
interest  in  this  place  believed  to  be  a  great  revival  of  the  work  of 
God,  has  excited  deep  concern,  and  our  General  Assembly  have  had 
the  matter  fully  before  them.  It  appeared  to  be  the  decided  opinion 
of  the  majority  in  the  General  Assembly,  that  no  Synod  has  a  right 
to  proceed  against  ministers  or  individuals,  except  the  matter  shall 
have  come  before  them  by  appeal  from  a  Presbytery  —  that  only  a 
Presbytery  can  call  its  members  to  account  for  errors  in  doctrine  or 
practice  —  that  a  man  once  ordained  by  a  Presbytery,  is  an  ordained 
minister,  though  the  Presbytery  may  have  acted  improperly  in  not 
requiring  due  qualification,  and  that  even  a  Presbytery  could  not 
afterwards  depose,  but  for  cause  arising  or  made  public  after  ordina- 
tion —  that  the  licentiates  are  always  in  the  power  of  their  Presbyteiy 
to  examine  them  and  withdraw  their  licensures  at  discretion  —  but 
that  a  Synod  may  act  against  a  Presbytery  as  such,  by  dissolving, 
dividing,  censuring,  &c. ;  consequently,  that  the  dealings  with  Cum- 
berland Presbytery  were  proper,  in  dissolving  them  and  annexing 
them  to  Transylvania,  but  wholly  improper  in  suspending  ordained 
ministers,  and  still  more  improper  was  it  for  a  Commission  of  Synod 
to  do  it.  But,  though  the  rule  about  knowledge  of  language,  in  our 
discipline  is  not  often  fully  complied  with,  and  though  the  rule  is  not 
found  in  the  scriptures,  yet  it  is  so  important,  that,  though  your 
case  was  an  imperious  one,  yet  they  seemed  to  fear  you  had  gonc5 
too  far,  especially  in  the  licensures.  But  what  the  General  Assembly 
have  finally  done,  will  appear  very  inconclusive  to  these  points, 
because  they  wished  to  avoid  offending  the  Synod  and  Presbytery, 
and  the  minority  in  the  Assembly  took  advantage  of  this  to  make 


460  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

the  business  end  as  much  as  possible  in  such  a  manner  as  not  to  be 
construed  against  the  power  of  Synods  and  General  Assembly." 

The  amiable  writer  of  the  above  letter  next  states 
that  the  General  Assembly  have  questioned  the  regu- 
larity of  the  proceedings  of  the  Kentucky  Synod  ;  and, 
after  giving  the  names  of  some  who  "  voted  with  the 
majority  in  this  censure,"  as  well  as  of  some  who 
opposed,  and  referring  to  his  own  name  among  the 
Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  concludes  with 
Christian  courtesy  and  brotherly  kindness. 

Every  attentive  reader  will  perceive,  how  fully  and 
unequivocally  the  General  Assembly  of  1807  sustained  all 
the  constitutional  objections  and  complaints  of  the  revi- 
val members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  against  the 
proceedings  of  the  Commission,  ratified  by  the  Synod 
of  Kentucky ;  and  still  how  mildly  and  cautiously  they 
inflicted  their  censure  upon  the  Synod,  with  advice  to 
review,  rescind  and  mitigate  the  suffering.  Had  the 
Synod  acted  upon  that  advice,  and  done  what  the 
Assembly  doubtless  hoped  and  desired,  the  breach  might 
have  been  healed,  and  a  death  blow  struck  to  the  tri- 
umphs of  party  spirit.  But  alas  for  the  perverseness  of 
our  poor  frail  nature  !  It  is  often  found  easier  for  some 
good  men  to  be  betrayed  into  error,  than  to  be  persuaded 
by  a  higher  authority  —  however  mildly  exercised  —  to 
repair  their  wrong  doing. 

The  Council  of  revival  ministers  again  addressed  the 
General  Assembly  in  the  spring  of  1808,  praying  for  a 
redress  of  grievances ;  but  the  Assembly  referred  them 
'•  to  the  Synod  itself  as   the  only  constitutional  body 


REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON.  461 

competent  to  reverse  what  they  had  done  wrong."  And 
the  Assembly  further  add :  "  And  in  case  they  either 
refuse  to  review  or  rectify  them  (their  own  proceedings), 
you  know  it  is  your  privilege  to  appeal  to  the  General 
Assembly,  who  will  then  be  empowered  to  act  upon  it." 
The  historian  speaks  of  the  action  in  the  case,  as  fol- 
lows :  "  Dr.  McKnight,  Dr.  Hall,  and  Dr.  J.  P.  Wilson 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  communicate  this  to  the 
council ;  and  to  write  also  to  the  Synod.  The  letter 
to  the  Synod  was  much  more  in  the  tenor  of  reprehen- 
sion than  that  of  the  preceding  year,  but  although  read 
and  disputed  by  paragraphs,  and  approved  by  a  great 
majority,  it  was  finally  deemed  expedient  not  to  send  it, 
as  it  might  only  produce  exasperation  of  feeling.  After 
the  adjournment  of  the  Assembly,  Dr.  Wilson  addressed 
a  letter  to  Mr.  Ilodge  in  his  own  name,*  expressive  of 
strong  sympathy,  reflecting  severely  on  the  Synod; 
pronouncing  the  Commission  unconstitutional ;  assuring 
him  of  the  favorable  sentiments  of  the  Assembly  ;  urging 
him  to  return  and  appeal  regularly,  although  a  disagree- 
able condescension  ;  recommending  the  establishment  of 
a  grammar  school ;  and  gently  advising  adherence  to 
the  standards."  f 

It  will  be  seen  that  this  Assembly  as  fully  sustained 
the  constitutional  objections  and  comj.laluts  of  the  revival 
ministers,  against  the  unjust  proceedings  of  the  Synod 
and  their  Commission,  as  did  the  Assembly  of  the  pre- 
ceding year.  The  Synod  being  absent  and  unrepre- 
Bented,  the  letter  of  the  Committee  was  withheld,  lest 

*  S<>«  ApppncHx,   G.  t  DaT.   UU  ,  p.  'j^. 


462  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSOHiT. 

it  "  might  exasperate  some  of  them."  But  some  may 
\]be  disposed  to  inquire,  why  did  not  the  Council  or  revival 
ministers  talie  the  steps  recommended  by  Dr.  Wilson, 
and  appeal  regularly  to  the  General  Assembly  ?  This 
is  easily  answered:  the  revival  ministers  "  were  com- 
mitted to  the  Presbytery  of  Transylvania  to  be  dealt 
with ;  Messrs.  Hodge  and  Rankin  to  be  restored,  if  the 
way  should  be  clear.*  The  effect  of  this  was  to  place 
the  revival  ministers  and  all  the  young  men  under  the 
iron  heel  of  those  very  men  who  had  been  the  inveterate 
opponents  of  themselves  and  the  revival,  for  more  than 
ten  years,  and  had  by  this  manoeuver  gained  an  acces- 
sion of  numbers,  sufficient  to  crush  and  overwhelm  them. 
Now  the  design  of  dissolving  and  re-annexing  the  Cum- 
berland Presbytery  to  the  Transylvania,  will  scarcely 
escape  any  attentive  reader.  If  lawful,  it  was  not  expe- 
dient. If  constitutional,  it  was  not  just.  This  act  of 
Kentucky  Synod  was  perpetrated,  or  at  least  divulged, 
after  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  in  the  spring 
of  1808,  and  some  months  after  Dr.  Wilson's  letter  had 
been  received.  Had  the  Council  or  revival  ministers 
intended  to  appeal  regularly  from  the  Synod  to  the 
General  Assembly,  they  wei-e  now  precluded  from  this  by 
the  insolent  act  of  the  Synod,  "  committing  them  to  the 
Presbytery  of  Transylvania  to  be  dealt  with."  Mr.  Hodge 
who,  in  compliance  with  the  invitation  of  this  Presby- 
tery, alone  attended  their  meeting,  at  Glasgow,  Ky., 
was  informed  by  their  committee  appointed  to  converse 
with  him,  that  "  the  Presbytery  was  invested  with  full 

•Davidson's  History,  p.  248. 


REVIEW   OP  DAVIDSON.  463 

Syyiodieal  powers  to  act  and  decide  upon  Ids  own  caso 
<ind  that  of  his  brethren.^'  *  A  better  evidence  could 
not  be  afforded,  that  the  majority  of  the  Synod  were 
rather  deficient  in  the  knowledge  of  their  own  church 
government,  than  this  act,  which,  to  say  the  least,  was 
full  of  absurdity.  As  well  might  they  invest  a  church 
session  with  full  Presbyterial  powers  !  The  very  sugges- 
tion excites  a  smile.  But  this  unjust  and  ungenerous 
act  excited  no  smiles  among  the  revival  ministers.  They 
saw  with  grief  and  consternation  that  another  constitu- 
tional principle  was  violated.  And  for  what  purpose  ? 
Of  this  they  could  judge  only  by  the  actual  effect,  which 
was  no  less  than  to  commit  their  cause  to  be  tried  and 
themselves  to  be  dealt  with,  by  a  party  now  in  power ; 
the  most  prominent  and  influential  of  whom  had  sent  a 
slanderous  letter  to  the  Synod,  by  whose  Commission 
they  had  been  cited,  tried,  and  condemned,  some  of  them 
suspended,  and  nearly  all  the  rest  silenced ;  against 
which  unconstitutional  proceedings,  they  had  been  for 
years  remonstrating  and  petitioning  to  the  General 
Assembly.  If  they  could  forget  that  their  revolutionary 
fathers  resisted  a  pitiful  tax,  for  the  sake  of  principle  —  if 
they  could  submit  to  the  humiliation  of  a  trial  and  cer- 
tain condemnation  by  the  now  dominant  party,  some  of 
whom  had  been  their  opposers  and  calumniators  for  ten 
years  —  their  next  step  must  be  an  appeal  to  that  very 
Synod  who  had  twice  unjustly  condemned  them,  and  now 
had  "  committed  them  to  the  Transylvania  Presbytery  to 
be  dealt  with,"  thus  interposing  embarrassments,  delays, 

•Smith's  ms,  p.  680. 


464  REVIEW    OF    DAVI1>S0N. 

and  obstacles  to  their  regular  appearance  before  the 
General  Assembly.  They  might  have  submitted  to  the 
humiliation,  but  could  not  yield  assent  to  the  violation 
of  principle.  Noble,  generous  hearted  men !  They 
could  be  subjected  to  suffering,  but  not  to  sin. 

The  Council  of  revival  ministers  had  forwarded  a 
letter  of  remonstrance  to  the  General  Assembly  of  1807  j 
and  that  body  had  mildly  censured  the  Kentucky 
Synod's  proceedings,  as  being  "  at  least  of  questionable 
regularity."  They  had  sent  a  petition  to  the  General 
Assembly  of  1808,  praying  for  the  interference  of  that 
body  in  their  behalf ;  and  a  great  majority,  taking  the 
view  of  the  case  which  the  preceding  Assembly  had 
entertained,  wrote  a  "  letter  to  the  Synod  much  more  in 
the  tenor  of  reprehension  than  that  of  the  preceding 
year :  "  *  this  letter,  on  account  of  the  Synod  being 
absent  and  unrepresented,  was  not  sent.  And  now  to 
cut  off  any  appeal  from  the  Synod  to  the  highest 
judicatory,  the  revival  ministers  ''  were  committed  to 
the  Presbytery  of  Transylvania  to  be  dealt  with."  f 
What  more  could  they  do  ?  Must  party  spirit  ever 
prevail,  and  opposition  to  the  revival  finally  triumph  ? 
No :  they  could  confide  in  the  wisdom  and  justice  of 
the  Assembly.  They  had  been  taught  by  Dr.  Wilson's 
letter  to  believe,  that  their  grievances  would  have  been 
redressed  the  year  before,  if  the  records  of  the  Synod 
of  Kentucky  had  been  before  the  Assembly.  Belying 
on  the  justice  of  their  cause,  they  could  await  the 
decision  of  that  body,  which  they  confidently  expecto-d 

*Pav.  His.  p,  248  +  lb   p.  24A 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON,  465 

■would  put  an  end  to  their  embarrassments  and  afflictions. 
But  they  should  have  borne  in  mind  that  the  Assembly, 
being  a  delegated  body,  is  liable  to  be  composed  of 
different  men  in  different  years.  Dr.  Wilson  had  said 
to  them  in  1808,  "  it  was  chiefly  with  a  view  to  your 
case,  that  I  was  in  the  Assembly  this  year."  Perhaps 
the  Council  oudit  to  have  sent  a  dele2;ation  to  the 
Assembly,  not  as  members  of  the  body,  it  is  true,  but 
as  a  party,  praying  for  justice  under  their  accumulated 
load  of  injuries,  and  having  a  right  to  be  heard  in  their 
own  defence.  But  whom  could  the  Council  have  sent  ? 
Mr.  McAdow  was  then  suffering  under  bodily  infirmity. 
Messrs.  Hodge  and  McGee,  though  zealous  and  able 
ministers,  and  of  priceless  value  to  the  revival,  were 
perhaps  never  so  powerful  in  debate,  as  some  of  those 
styled  "  the  young  men,"  had  already  become.  Of  the 
four  who  had  been  ordained  previous  to  the  dissolution 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  Messrs.  Ewing  and 
King  were  probably  the  only  men  who  could  have 
successfully  defended  the  revival  and  the  Council  of 
ministers  against  the  representations  then  made  by  the 
Kentucky  Synod.  Meek  and  gentle  as  they  were,  they 
feared  not  the  face  of  man.  They  were  not  liable  to 
be  overawed  by  an  array  of  numbers  nor  entangled  by 
any  kind  of  sophistry.  All  who  have  known  them  in 
later  times  and  witnessed  their  power  of  argument  and 
of  eloquence,  will  decide  that  the  cause  would  have 
been  safe  in  their  hands.  Probably  they  were  not 
thought  of  at  the  time,  nor  was  any  delegation  deemed 
necessary. 


466  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON. 

What  must  have  been  the  grief  and  disappointment 
of  the  Council,  when  they  learned  that  this  Assembly 
had  sanctioned  the  proceedings  of  the  Kentucky  Sj^nod  ? 
Truly  they  were  driven  to  their  closets  and  their  knees. 
The  church  of  their  choice,  to  whose  service  they  had 
devoted  their  lives,  for  whose  sake  they  were  willing  to 
sacrifice  all  things,  except  a  good  conscience  and  the 
privilege  of  serving  God  and  their  generation  in  the 
work  to  which,  they  trusted,  the  Holy  Ghost  had  called 
them,  had  cast  them  off,  without  process  or  form  of  trial. 
Without  any  charge  of  heresy  or  immorality,  ordained 
ministers,  licentiates,  candidates  and  exhorters  at  one 
blow,  were  to  have  their  mouths  closed  and  their  tongues 
pai-alyzed,  so  far  as  public  instruction  of  the  people  was 
concerned,  by  ecclesiastical  authority.  They  could  but 
"  weep  between  the  porch  and  the  altar,"  saying,  *'  spare 
thy  people,  0  Lord,  and  give  not  thine  heritage  to 
reproach."  *  Must  tens  of  thousands  have  no  one  to 
break  to  them  the  bread  of  life  ?  They  knew  not  how  to 
live  without  it.  Must  the  numerous  churches  throughout 
southern  Kentucky,  Tennessee  and  elsewhere,  which  had 
been  organized  from  the  fruits  of  the  great  revival,  no 
more  hear  the  gospel,  or  must  they  seek  a  connection 
with  other  denominations  ?  They  were  Presbyterians 
from  principle;  besides  they  loved  the  men  who  had 
sought  them  out  while  in  their  ignorance  and  sin,  and 
shown  unto  them  the  way  of  salvation.  Must  the 
churches  invite  the  ministrations  of  Craighead,  Bowman, 
Donnell,  Templin  and  Balch  ?    They  had  no  desire  to 

•Joel  H,  17. 


REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON.  467 

listen  to  any  more  declamations  against  the  revival  and 
its  promoters.  Must  the  New  Light  preachers  who 
were  sent  among  them,  he  alloAved  to  heguile  unstable 
souls  and  proselyte  them  to  their  pretended  "  new 
gospel  ?  "  None  could  expose  their  sophistries  so 
triumphantly  as  their  favorite  preachers  had  ofcen  done. 
Must  the  sacramental  and  camp  meetings  be  discon- 
tinued, and  the  multitudes  who  were  groaning  for 
redemption,  have  none  to  point  them  to  the  cross  of 
Christ  ?  Men  had  virtually  so  commanded  ;  but  Ewing, 
King  and  thousands  more  had  responded,  "  we  ought 
to  obey  God  rather  than  men."  *  Must  the  revival 
cease,  and  all  those  prohibited  from  preaching  and  even 
exhorting  go  home,  and  devote  themselves  to  secular 
employments  ?  They  could  not.  They  dared  not.  They 
DID  NOT.  And  the  revival  progressed  with  power  ;  and 
very  many  were  filled  with  joy  and  peace  in  believing. 
"  So  mightily  grew  the  word  of  God  and  prevailed." 

It  may  be  necessary  to  inquire,  by  what  means  the 
sanction  of  the  Synod's  proceedings  were  obtained  from 
the  General  Assembly  of  1809?  How  did  the  Synod's 
demand,  that  the  young  men  licensed  and  ordained  be 
given  up  to  their  body  for  examination,  find  countenance 
from  any  one ;  when  the  Constitution  gives  to  the 
Presbytery  alone,  the  power  to  examine  and  license 
candidates  for  the  holy  ministry  ?  f  How  did  the  Synod's 
suspension  of  ordained  ministers  without  process  in  their 
case,  meet  the  approval  of  any  man  who  had  ever  read 
the  form  of  process  against  a  Bishop  or  Minister  in  the 

•  Acta  V,  29.  t  Form  of  Government,  Chapter  r,  Article  8. 


468  REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSOI^. 

discipline  of  his  own  church  ?  How  could  the  sus- 
pension of  Messrs.  Hodge  and  Rankin  for  not  submitting 
to  the  re-examination  of  the  young  men,  find  a  shadow 
of  excuse  among  any  class  of  Presbyterians,  who  were 
capable  of  reading  the  form  of  government  of  their 
own  church,  by  which,  power  is  expressly  given  to  Pres- 
bytery, but  to  no  other  judicatory,  "  to  examine  and 
license  candidates,"  as  well  as  "  to  ordain,  install,  remove 
and  judge  ministers?*  How  could  all  these  unconsti- 
tutional acts,  which,  in  1807,  Avere  cautiously,  but 
explicitly  adjudged  to  be  "at  least,  of  questionable 
regularity,"  in  1809,  become  unquestionably  regular  ? 
How  could  those  same  proceedings,  which,  in  1808, 
were  deemed  much  more  reprehensible  than  in  the 
preceding  year,  in  1809  call  forth  the  thanks  of  the 
General  Assembly  ?  Had  the  hne  of  demarkation 
between  truth  and  falsehood,  in  one  short  year,  l)ecome 
blurred  or  blotted  out  ?  Had  equity  and  iniquity  lost  their 
distinctive  features  ?  Had  right  and  wrong  exchanged 
places  ?  Verily,  no  :  men  may  change,  but  truth  never. 
Justice  is  eternal  and  unchangeable.  The  courts  may 
decide  contrary  to  law ;  but  then  their  verdicts  are 
absolutely  null  and  void.  Even  an  Assembly  of  good 
men  may  be  swayed  by  sympathy,  and  in  a  moment  of 
excitement  surrender  constitutional  principles  to  the 
tears  and  entreaties  of  an  impassioned  pleader  ;  but 
future  Assemblies,  observing  the  rule  of  right,  will  not 
adopt  such  acts  as  precedents,  but  stamp  them  with 
discomfiture  and  disapprobation.      The  permanency  of 

*rorm  of  GoTemment,  Chapter  z,  Article  4. 


REVIEW    OP    DAVIDSON.  469 

principle  and  its  prevalence  over  passion  may  be  emi- 
nently illustrated,  by  comparing  the  Assembly's  act  in 
the  present  case,  with  the  act  of  the  same  body  in 
the  case  of  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva,  hereafter  to  be 
noticed. 

Speaking  of  Mr.  Lyle's  "uncommon  power  of  unlock- 
ing the  founts  of  feeling,  and  awakening  a  sympathetic 
interest  in  the  bosoms  of  his  auditors,"  the  historian 
says :  "  Even  the  General  Assembly  were  taken  by 
surprise,  in  1809,  when  he  defended  the  Synod  in  the 
matter  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians.  Bursting  into 
tears,  he  made  a  most  impassioned  appeal,  and  the 
Assembly  were  so  affected,  that  their  final  judgment 
was  very  different  from  that  to  which  they  had  at  first 
inclined."  *  Again,  after  stating  that  the  Synod's  two 
letters  and  minutes  were  "  attentively  considered  by  the 
next  General  Assembly,"  (1809,)  "  that  Messrs.  Lyle 
and  Stuart  were  on  the  floor  as  Commissioners  from 
Kentucky,  having  come,  at  great  expense  and  self- 
denial,  to  defend  the  Synod ;  "  that  these  good  men 
"  were  somewhat  awed  by  the  array  of  learned  doctors, 
&c; ;  "  the  historian  significantly  remarks  :  "  They  were 
still  more  disconcerted  by  observing  the  unfriendly  eye 
with  which  the  whole  Assembly,  with  Dr.  J.  P.  Wilson 
at  their  head,  appeared  to  regard  them.  The  prospect 
was  at  first  gloomy  and  discouraging,  &c."  f  The 
Synod  must  have  seen  the  necessity  of  powerful  efibrts 
for  their  defence.  And  it  is  a  httle  remarkable, 
that,  after  all  the  documents  had  been  so  attentively 

•  Dav.  HLi.,  p  119.  t  Day.  Hla.,  p.  248. 


470  REVIEW  OF   DAVIDSON-. 

considered,  their  prospects  were  so  decidedly  gloomy  and 
discouraging.  And  still  more  remarkable  was  it,  that 
so  venerable  and  dispassionate  a  court  of  Jesus  Christ 
"  were  taken  by  surprise  ; "  and  as  Mr.  Ljle  "  wept 
freely,"  "  every  heart  was  touched  with  profound 
sympathy."  Dr.  Davidson  says,  "  Mr.  Lyle,  having 
overcome  his  awe,  and  yielding  to  his  feelings,  as  was 
his  wont,  wept  freely  as  he  portrayed,  in  vivid  colors, 
the  probable  effects  of  the  discomfiture  and  disgrace 
of  the  friends  of  truth  and  order.  A  deep  impression 
was  made.  Every  heart  was  touched  with  profound 
sympathy." 

Were  it  possible,  at  this  distance  of  time,  to  examine 
the  portrait  drawn  by  Mr.  Lyle,  it  is  probable  that  some 
of  its  colorings  would  lose  much  of  their  vividness.  The 
reader  has  already  noticed  the  facts  and  arguments 
adduced,  which  will  amply  sustain  the  following  positions. 
Mr.  Lyle  and  other  good  men,  in  central  and  upper 
Kentucky,  had  been  greatly  afflicted  and  alarmed,  as 
well  they  might  be,  by  the  erroneous  doctrines  and 
practices  of  the  New  Lights  in  their  midst.  Those  who 
had  opposed  the  revival  from  its  commencement,  taking 
advantage  of  their  alarm,  had,  by  erroneous  represen- 
tations, led  them  to  confound  the  genuine  revival  with 
the  excitement  by  which  they  were  sorely  annoyed ; 
and  by  this  means  beguiled  them  into  the  adoption  of 
their  own  unrighteous  cause.  This  union  of  strength 
had  probably  prompted  to  the  unconstitutional  proceed- 
ings of  Kentucky  Synod  by  their  Commission.  Party 
spirit  raged  with  a  violence  seldom  witnessed  in  the 


REVIEW    OF    DAVIDSON.  471 

church,  to  the  great  grief  of  all  godly  men  of  both 
parties.  Now  great  efforts  were  made  to  justify  the 
Synod  before  the  world  and  the  highest  judicatory. 
The  Assembly  were  dissatisfied,  and  had  expressed  their 
dissatisfaction  to  the  Sjnod.  Now  at  this  crisis,  it  may 
be  asked,  whether  Mr.  Lyle,  in  his  portrait  drawn  for 
the  Assembly's  enlightenment,  did,  or  did  not,  confound 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  with  the  New  Lights, 
and  wield  the  aberrations  of  the  latter  to  the  prejudice 
of  the  former  ?  In  addition  to  a  vast  amount  of  presump- 
tive evidence  that  he  did  so,  many  of  the  extracts  from 
his  Diary,  given  by  the  historian,  go  to  establish  the 
affirmative.  The  candid  historian  himself,  deceived  by 
these  extracts,  and  other  information  equally  fallacious, 
has  fallen  into  the  same  error,  as  already  noticed. 
Doubtless  it  was  by  these  erroneous  impressions,  sustained 
by  the  tears  and  entreaties  of  this  impassioned  pleader 
in  behalf  of  the  Synod,  that  "  even  the  General  Assembly 
of  1809  were  taken  by  surprise,"  and  in  an  unguarded 
moment  came  to  a  decision  directly  at  war  with  the 
Constitution  of  the  church ;  palpably  contradicting  not 
only  their  deliberate  judgments  of  the  two  preceding 
years,  but  a  subsequent  decision  of  the  same  body 
in  1816. 

This  latter  decision  deserves  to  be  more  particularly 
noticed.  The  case  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  is 
essentially  parallel  with  that  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Geneva.  The  former  had  ordained  Finis  Ewing  and 
others,  and  admitted  them  constituent  members  of  their 
Presbytery.     The  latter  had  so  admitted  Rev.  Shepley 


472  REVIEW   OF  DAVIDSON. 

Wells.*  The  Synod  of  Kentucky  assumed  to  have  a  right 
to  reconsider,  and,  at  the  discretion  of  a  Commission 
appointed  for  this  purpose,  to  reverse  the  acts  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbytery  in  the  premises.  But  the  Synod 
of  Geneva,  somewhat  less  arrogant  or  more  scrupulous, 
or  better  informed,  did  not  attempt  to  nulHfy  or  rescind 
Presbyterial  acts,  but  ordered  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva 
to  reconsider  the  case  of  Mr.  Wells.  It  was  justly  argued 
that  Synods  were  competent  to  censure  Presbyteries  as 
such,  provided  they  actually  had  ordained  and  admitted 
unworthy  characters.  But  that  the  right  of  judging  of 
the  characters  and  qualifications  of  all  candidates  for 
such  admission  belonged  to  Presbyteries,  to  which 
judicatures  alone  the  Constitution  had  specially  assigned 
that  discretionary  power ;  and  when  once  admitted,  no 
matter  how  improvidently,  their  decisions  were  valid 
and  final.  When  individuals  had  been  once  admitted, 
they  became  members  in  full  standing ;  nor  could  the 

*  In  the  minutes  of  the  General  Assembly,  vol.  iii,  p.  235,  may  bo 
seen  the  following  in  the  report  of  a  committee,  appointed  to  examine 
the  minutes  of  the  Synod  of  Geneva;  and  its  adoption  by  the 
Assembly  does  unequivocally  sustain  those  constitutional  principles, 
for  which  the  Council  of  revival  ministers  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
tery so  long  and  grieviously  suffered. 

"  Your  committee  doubted  the  correctness  of  the  order  given  by 
the  Synod  to  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva,  to  reconsider  their  proceed- 
in"-s  on  the  subject  of  the  admission  of  Rev.  Shepley  Wells  a 
constituent  member  of  that  Presbytery."  "  The  Synod  of  Geneva 
were,  beyond  doubt,  competent  to  censure  the  Presbytery  of  Geneva 
for  admitting  hastily,  or  on  slight  evidence,  into  their  body  an 
unworthy,  or  even  a  suspicious  character.  But  it  is,  in  the  opinion 
of  vour  committee  equally  clear,  that  the  right  of  deciding  on  the 


REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON.  473 

Presbytery,  though  it  should  reconsider,  reverse  its  own 
decision,  or  in  any  way  sever  the  member  so  admitted 
from  their  body,  except  by  a  regular  process. 

Thus  did  the  General  Assembly  of  1809  sanction  the 
proceedings  of  the  Kentucky  Synod,  which  were  in 
direct  violation  of  the  most  excellent,  equitable,  and 
scriptural  system  of  ecclesiastical  government  in  the 
world.  The  time  has  come  when  every  sound  Presby- 
terian who  understands  and  loves  the  Constitution  of  his 
own  church,  must  either  be  warily  silent  respecting  the 
causes  which  led  to  the  final  separation  in  1810,  or  can- 
didly acknowledge  with  the  late  Dr.  Ely,  of  Philadelphia, 
that  "  in  these  unhappy  difficulties  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterians  have  suffered  great  eeelesiastical  tvrongs.''^ 
While  however  they  maintain  the  right,  let  them  forgive 
the  wrong.  While  they  are  always  ready  to  give  a 
reason  for  their  faith,  let  them  avoid  offence.  While 
they  reject  the  fatality  of  the  Confession,  let  them  exer- 
cise forbearance  towards   those   who  find  it  not  therein. 

fitness  of  admitting  Mr.  Wells,  a  constituent  member  of  the  Presby- 
tery of  Geneva,  belonged  to  the  Presbytery  itself,  and  having 
admitted  him,  no  matter  how  improvidently,  that  their  decision  was 
Talid  and  final.  The  individual  admitted  became  a  member  in  full 
standing  ;  nor  could  the  Presbytery,  though  it  should  reconsider, 
reverse  its  own  decision,  or  in  anyway  sever  the  member  so  admitted 
from  their  body,  except  by  a  regular  process." 

If  a  Presbytery  cannot  revei'se  her  own  decisions  and  silence 
ordained  ministers,  how  much  less  can  a  Synod  do  it.  And  least  of 
all  how  could  a  General  Assembly  be  induced  to  sanction  so  tyran- 
nical a  measure  ?  The  General  Assembly  of  1816  have  written  in 
living  letters,  "  TEKEL,"  on  the  act  into  which  the  Assembly  of 
1 809  were  surprised. 

40 


474  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON". 

Let  Cumbevland  Presbyterians  cultivate  peace,  charity 
and  Christian  kindness  towards  their  brethren  of  other 
denominations,  especially  those  of  their  mother  church. 
If  she  has,  by  a  few  violent  partisans,  been  betrayed  into 
error  in  her  dealings  with  their  fathers,  she  has  suflFered 
for  it  many  fold,  in  the  dearth  of  revivals  which  seldom 
visited  her  during  a  tedious  term  of  years.  Let  them 
venerate  her  as  a  mother  still,  for  her  wisdom  and  her 
work's  sake.  Let  them  imitate  her  in  all  that  is  right,  but 
pursue  a  more  excellent  way  in  any  thing  discovered  to 
be  wrong.  Let  them,  humbly  relying  on  divine  aid, 
emulate  her  in  closet  devotion,  in  family  religion,  in 
regular  public  worship,  in  private  acts  of  benevolence, 
and  the  public  advocacy  and  support  of  all  the  great 
religious  charities,  those  holy  enterprises  of  evangelical 
Christendom  which  under  God  are  even  now  bearing  the 
first  fruits  of  the  world's  conversion.  Let  them  extend 
the  circulation  of  their  religious  periodicals,  amply  endow 
their  University,  Theological  Seminary,  Colleges,  classi- 
cal and  primary  schools.  Let  them  thoroughly  educate 
candidates  for  the  ministry,  and  adequately  support  the 
pastors  in  their  charges  and  missionaries  in  their  fields. 
Let  the  reproach  of  ignorance  never  be  cast  upon  a 
minister  of  Christ,  nor  the  sin  of  his  poverty  and  want 
be  laid  to  the  charge  of  those  for  whom  he  labors. 
Trusting  in  God,  let  every  parent  strive  and  teach  his 
children  to  labor  to  become  eminently  pious  and  intelli- 
gent, growing  in  grace  and  the  knowledge  of  the  truth, 
becoming  more  and  more  pure  in  heart,  holy  in  Hfe,  and 
abundant  in  labors  of  love.     Presbyterians  of  all  schools 


REATCEW   OF   DAVIDSON.  475 

are,  in  their  benevolent  efforts,  conservative  as  well  as 
aggressive.  Theirs  is  a  religion  of  principle  as  Avell  as 
of  action.  Reljing  alone  on  divine  truth,  wielded  by 
the  divine  Spirit,  they  engage  in  the  divine  work  and 
labor  for  the  divine  glory.  Prompted  by  God's  word, 
let  them  aim  at  the  upbuilding  of  hie  kingdom,  and  in  all 
things  be  subject  to  his  wilL 

It  need  not  be  concealed  that,  according  to  their  com- 
parative ratio  of  increase  in  times  past,  not  many  years 
■will  have  elapsed  before  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians 
will  out-number  any  other  branch  of  the  Presbyterian 
family.  This,  so  far  from  prompting  to  pride  and  vain 
glory,  should  lead  to  humility  and  self-abasement.  The 
beloved  and  lamented  Ewing,  from  first  to  last,  had 
strong  confidence  that  God's  approval  and  blessing  had 
been  and  would  continue  to  be  with  the  church,  in  the 
founding  of  which  he  had  been  so  prominent.  But  he 
greatly  feared  a  spirit  of  pride  and  self-confidence.  He 
•dreaded  nothing  so  much.  He  wrote  in  reference  to 
this  subject,  near  the  close  of  his  life :  "  On  this 
account,  I  even  sometimes  tremble,  while  I  rejoice  at 
the  almost  unparalleled  growth  of  our  denomination." 
And  his  exhortation  to  all  future  generations  of  Cum- 
berland Presbyterians  is,  "  Be  humble !  be  humble  ! 
BE  HUMBLE ! " 

A  fearful  responsibility  rests  upon  their  leading  and 
influential  ministers  and  members.  To  these  the  church 
now  looks  for  those  wise  arrangements  which  will  afford 
to  all  instruction  in  truth  and  righteousness.  The 
church  in  future  will   hold  these  answerable  foi'  the 


476  REVIEW  OF  DAVIDSON". 

institutions  and  principles  of  action,  designed  to  train 
up  a  people  to  serve  their  God  acceptably  and  succeeding 
generations  nobly.  The  future  church  -will  probably 
derive  her  conformation  of  character  from  the  present. 
Long  established  principles,  systems,  and  usages  are 
held  in  veneration,  and  are  not  soon  or  easily  forsaken. 
When  this  branch  of  the  church  shall  number  as  many 
hundreds  of  thousands  as  she  now  does  of  thousands,  it 
may  be  too  late  to  form  a  new  character ;  and  if  her 
character,  already  formed,  shall  be  indifferent  or  deci- 
dedly unworthy,  the  attempt  to  reform  may  be  hopeless. 
Then  the  light  of  her  genius  may  have  departed,  and 
the  hope  of  her  promise  have  passed.  Then  God  may 
remove  her  candlestick  out  of  his  place,  except  she 
repent.  But  a  brighter  augury  may  be  taken,  and  a 
higher  destiny  anticipated. 

The  ways  of  God  are  well  ordered  and  sure.  The 
history  of  his  church,  from  the  time  of  his  covenant  with 
Abraham  till  the  present,  is  truly  instructive,  showing 
his  dealings  with  the  obedient  as  well  as  the  rebellious, 
Columbus  discovered  a  new  continent.  The  Puritan 
fathers,  fleeing  from  religious  persecution,  established 
themselves  here.  The  God  of  their  worship  was  with 
them,  and  they  prospered.  The  patriots  of  the  revolution 
freed  them  from  the  yoke  of  tyranny.  A  government 
was  formed,  guaranteeing  all  the  blessings  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty.  The  AUeghanies  were  crossed ;  and 
a  tide  of  immigration  flowed  into  the  Mississippi  valley, 
A  gracious  work  of  God  commenced,  about  the  beginning 
of  the  nineteenth  century,  on  the  then  western  frontier^ 


REVIEW   OF   DAVIDSON.  477 

which  has  no^7  become  the  centre  of  American  civilization. 
The  persecuted  and  afflicted  promoters  of  this  revival 
were  driven  by  ecclesiastical  tyranny,  as  a  sect  every 
where  spoken  against,  to  constitute  a  little  church, 
truly  American  in  its  origin  and  evangelical  in  its 
character.  The  weak  having  grown  strong,  and  the  few 
become  many,  the  providence  of  God  now  disclosed  the 
hidden  wealth  of  California ;  and  great  multitudes  rushed 
to  the  land  of  gold.  The  coast  of  the  Pacific  has  become 
an  exceedingly  interesting  field  for  American  enterprise 
and  Christian  benevolence.  Thousands  from  the  pagan 
nations  of  Asia  and  the  isles  of  the  sea.  to  whom  the 
word  of  life  had  been  sent  in  stinted  measure  and  at 
immense  cost,  are  now  flocking  to  these  shores,  to  receive 
it  without  limit  and  almost  without  expense.  The  vast 
western  wilderness,  now  the  home  of  savages  and  haunt 
of  wild  beasts,  will  soon  be  converted,  by  Anglo-Saxon 
enterprise  and  industry,  into  fruitful  fields,  the  inherit- 
ance of  civilized  men.  Shall  they  be  Christian?  This 
is  a  question  to  be  well  pondered,  and  speedily  answered, 
by  the  friends  of  God  and  humanity.  Cities  in  the  west 
are-  already  rising,  and  others  still  will  rise,  rivaling 
those  in  the  east  in  population,  wealth,  and  business. 
Shall  the  altar  of  devotion  and  the  temple  of  God  be 
there?  Shall  the  Sabbath  become  joyful  at  the  sound 
of  the  church-going  bell,  and  the  streets  be  thronged 
with  the  frequenters  of  worshipping  assemblies  ?  It  is 
for  the  lovers  of  Christ  to  determine.  "  If  any  man 
love  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  let  him  be  anathem.a  * 

*  2  Cor.  xvi,  22. 


478  BE  VIEW    OF    DAVIDSON. 

maran-atha."  And  who  can  enjoy  greater  advantages 
for  missionary  labors,  in  these  whitening  fields,  than  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterians  ?  Who  have  stronger  induce- 
ments or  higher  encouragements  ?  Who  ought  to  be 
more  deeply  impressed  with  a  sense  of  their  obligations  ? 
Born  in  a  revival,  and  having  long  struggled  with 
opposition,  it  may  be  that  the  Lord  has  raised  up  this 
church,  and  "  established  her  goings,"  at  a  time  and 
place  the  most  favorable  for  success  in  this  vast  field. 
Let  the  church  arise  in  her  full  strength,  and  her  united 
energies  be  engaged.  Truly  "  the  Lord  hath  been 
mindful  of  us ;  he  will  bless  us."  "  lie  hath  not 
dealt  so  with  any  nation."  Let  us  plan  wisely,  labor 
diligently,  but  pray  submissively.  For  it  is  "  not  by 
might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord 
of  hosts." 

riNis. 


APPENDIX. 


Letter    of  the    Council    of  revival  ministers   to   the    General 
Assemhhj  of  1807. 

Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethuex:  —  AVe  liave  neither  the 
pleasure  nor  advantage  of  bein!i  known  by  face  to  any  of  you. 
Common  fame  may  have  borne  our  names  unto  you,  and  some 
part  of  our  conduct  under  unfavorable  coloring.  If  not,  j'ou 
■will  shortly  hear  of  us  throu!;h  the  medium  of  the  Kentucky 
Synod.  VVe  are  known  at  a  distance  by  the  title  (though  falsely 
so  called)  of  the  majority  of  Cumberland  Presbytery.  AVe  are 
a  few  brethren  who  labor  under  grievances  occasioned  by  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky,  neither  can  we  indulge  one  hojie  of  having 
them  removed  by  that  reverend  body. 

As  our  local  situation  renders  the  pcrt^onal  attendance  of  any 
of  us  at  the  General  Assembly  ahnost  impracticable,  we  take 
this  as  our  only  alternative,  to  present  inito  you,  as  guardians 
under  Christ  of  that  branch  of  the  churcli  to  which  Ave  belong, 
our  humble  petition  for  a  redress  of  our  grievances. 

That  you  may  have  a  just  view  of  our  situation  and  distress, 
•we  humbly  conceive  it  necessary  to  give  you  a  brief  history  of 
facts,  relative  to  our  present  case,  as  they  transpired  in  this  country. 
AVe  therefore  beseech  you  to  hear  us  patiently.  AA''e  had  the 
happiness,  the  most  of  us,  of  having  removed  to  this  country 
before,  and  in,  that  ever  memorable  year  1800,  when  the  gracious 
work  of  God  broke  out  in  such  power  amongst  us.  There  were 
but  four  Presbyterian  ministers  who  wore  trulv  friendly  to  the 
revival  in  the  bounds  of  AVest  Tennessee  and  Avest  Kentucky  — 
two  in  each.  AVhile  we  preached  the  same  doctrines  we  had 
vears  before  —  the  doctrines  of  the  Bible  and  our  Confession  of 
Faith  —  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  accompanied  the  word  with 
unusual  power  to  the  hearts  of  the  people.  The  effects  of  this 
divine  energy  wore  quickly  manifested  by  most  awful  outcries 
for  mercy  —  by  falling  down,  speechless  and  motionless,  in  many 


480  APPENDIX. 

cases  for  hours.  When  speech  and  a  degree  of  thought  were 
recovered,  the  most  open  and  full  confession  of  sin,  and  importu- 
nate entreaties  for  ])ardon  were  made.  Such  cries,  accompanied 
■with  struggles  for  faith  as  the  gift  of  God,  -,ve.  never  heard  nor 
saw  before.  Many  who  had  been  subjects  of  conversion  years 
before,  but  in  a  less  visible  manner,  were  astonished  and 
confounded,  while  they  beheld  such  unusual  exercises,  and  knew 
not  what  all  would  issue  in,  but  were  often  afraid,  in  distraction 
and  confusion.  Sometimes  while  our  tears  and  cries  were 
mingling  with  those  of  the  mourners,  for  mercy  upon  them,  with 
pleasing  amazement  we  could  perceive  the  Day  Spring  from  on 
high  was  visiting  them.  The  opening  views  they  tlien  expressed 
of  the  gospel  scheme  of  salvation  —  the  fullness,  suitableness  and 
frecness  of  Christ  —  his  ability  to  save — the  beauty  of  holiness, 
the  preciousness  of  God's  word  —  the  truth  of  his  promises  — 
the  equity  of  his  law  —  the  hatefuiness  of  sin,  on  which  they 
could  with  eloquence  expatiate,  on  tiie  full  return  of  bodily 
strength  and  activity  —  their  sympathizing  concern  for  tlie 
unconverted  —  their  persuasive  arguments  to  come  to  Christ  — 
their  love  to  God,  his  people,  and  cause  —  the  transports  of  joy 
and  holy  delight  with  which  they  were  filled,  expressed  in  shouts 
of  praise  to  him  who  had  washed  them  in  his  blood  —  would 
have  convinced,  (yea,  actually  did  many,)  a  deist,  that  none  but 
a  Divine  Agent  could  produce  such  happy  effects.  When  we 
add,  the  holy,  upright,  self-denying  lives  which  numbers  manifest 
to  this  day,  every  shadow  of  doubt  disappears.  The  work  broke 
out  nearl}'  in  the  centre  of  our  country.  The  unusual  exercises 
and  appearances  were  soon  noised  abroad.  Our  sacramental 
occasions  were  attended  by  vast  multitudes,  and  remarkable 
tokens  of  God's  presence  and  power.  Numbers  came  out  to  see. 
Here  were  deists,  drunkards.  Sabbath-breakers,  and  all  the 
ditfcrent  characters  that  compose  the  great  class  of  the  wicked. 
Many  of  them  fell  under  deep  convictions,  and  to  all  appearance 
became  the  happy  subjects  of  conversion.  Some  of  them  who 
came  from  afar,  when  they  returned  home,  immediately  began 
to  exhort  their  families  and  neighbors  to  seek  salvation.  They 
appointed  meetings  for  prayer.  The  Lord  remarkably  blessed 
those  meetings  in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  many.  Thus, 
in  a  few  months,  the  blessed  work  spread  like  a  rapid  flame  from 
the  centre  to  the  circumference  of  our  country.  The  attention 
of  all  our  inhabitants  appeared  to  be  aroused. 

Now,  truly  the  harvest  was  great  and  the  laborers  few.  Unable 
to  resist  the  pressing  solicitations  from  every  quarter  for  preaching, 
with  unutterable  pleasure  we  went  out,  laboring  day  and  night, 


APPENDIX.  4S1 

until  our  bodies  were  worn  down,  and  after  all  we  could  not 
supply  one-third  of  the  places  calling  upon  us  for  preaching. 
^Vliile  thus  engaged,  and  the  gracious  work  still  going  on,  we 
observed  what  was  very  remarkable,  that  in  almost  every 
noighborhood  there  was  some  one  who  appeared  to  have 
uncommon  gifts  for  exhortation  and  prayer,  and  were  zealously 
engaged  in  the  exercises  thereof,  wJiile  the  Lord  wrought  by 
them  to  the  conversion  of  inany.  Viewing  the  infant  state  of 
the  L'hurch  in  our  country,  the  anxious  desire  for  religious 
instruciion,  the  gifts,  diligence,  and  success  of  those  we  have 
mentioned,  and  the  scriptural  authority  for  exhortation,  we  were 
induced  with  almost  every  member  in  the  Presbytery,  to  open 
a  door  for  tJie  licensure  of  exhorters.  AVell  knowing  it  was  a 
liberty  that  was,  and  would  be  taken;  and  concluding  if  taken 
bv  Presbyterial  authority  it  might  prevent  disorder  and  weakness. 
It  was  now  agreed  that  any  of  those  who  might  be  licensed,  and 
manifested  extraordinary  talents  and  piety,  should  be  considered 
as  candidates  for  the  ministry  :  also,  tliat  for  their  improvement 
they  should  have  subjects  appointed,  on  which  they  were  to  be 
heard  at  our  stated  sessions  of  Presbytery ;  that  if,  by  their 
improvement,  piety  and  usefulness,  they  purchased  to  themselves 
a  good  degree,  they  might  be  set  apart  to  the  holy  ministry. 
Accordingly,  several  made  application,  who  were  examined  on 
experimental  religion,  and  the  motives  inducing  them  to  publia 
exhoration.  Those  we  judged  qualified  were  then  licensed. 
The  first  were  all  men  of  families  and  somewhat  advanced  in 
years.  Out  they  went,  leaving  wives  and  children,  houses  and 
lands,  for  Christ's  sake  and  the  gospel ;  suffering  hunger,  cold, 
and  weariness,  for  weeks  in  succession ,  but  the  Lord  was  with 
them  and  made  them  happy  instruments  in  helping  on  his  work 
in  the  conversion  of  many.  After  a  long  trial  of  those  men 
in  .different  parts  of  our  country,  there  came  forward  to  our 
Presbytery  several  petitions  for  their  licensure  to  the  ministry, 
signed  by  hundreds  of  the  most  moral  and  religious  characters 
wnere  they  had  labored. 

From  our  personal  knowledge  of  those  men's  good  talents, 
piety,  and  usefulness ;  from  the  numerous  warm  petitions  of  the 

f»eople  at  large  —  from  the  example  of  many  Presbyteries  — 
rora  the  silence  of  scripture  on  literary  accomplishments  —  from 
your  own  declaration  in  answer  to  Mr.  Rice's  letter,  viz. :  "  That 
human  learning  is  not  essential  to  the  ministry  "  —  from  the 
e.xception  made  in  the  book  of  disciplince,  in  extraordinary 
cases;  we  humbly  conceived,  that  it  would  not  be  a  transgi-ession 
either  of  the  laws  of  God  or  the  rules  of  the  church,  to  license 

41 


482  APPENDIX. 

men  of  such  a  description.  We  tberefore  did  license  them,  and 
a  few  others  at  different  times  afterward :  some  of  them  with, 
and  some  without  literary  acquisitions  ;  but  all  men  of  jjifts,  pietv, 
and  influence,  having  spent  years  previous  in  exhortation,  before 
they  were  admitted  to  tlie  ministry.  Several  were  licensed  to 
exhort,  whose  names  are  on  our  minutes,  whom  we  never  had  a 
design  of  admitting  to  the  ministry.  Now,  the  work  of  the  Lord 
went  on. 

Numbers  of  young,  promising  congregations  were  formed 
and  regularly  organized.  The  Lord  added  to  them  such 
we  liope,  as  shall  be  saved.  So  that,  in  the  course  of  a  few 
years  the  wilds  of  our  country  echoed  with  tJie  praises  of  the 
Lord.  Savage  ignorance  was  changed  into  a  knowledge  of  God 
and  his  dear  Son ;  and  savage  ferocity  into  the  lamb-like  spirit 
of  Jesus.  Truly  the  wilderness  and  solitary  place  appeared  to 
be  glad,  and  the  desert  to  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose.  The 
parched  ground  became  a  pool,  and  the  thirsty  land,  springs  of 
water. 

Thus,  while  the  glorious  work  prevailed,  love  and  harmony 
abounded  amongst  ministers,  exhorters,  and  people.  A  few  of 
our  opposing  brethren  in  the  Presbytery,  carried  up  to  the 
Synod  of  Kentucky,  a  common  fame  letter,  formed  by  themselves. 
In  this  letter,  they  grossly  misrepresented  our  characters,  conduct, 
and  the  doctrines  we  taught.  Although  they  were  eye  and  ear 
witnesses  of  all  we  did  in  a  Presbyterial  capacity,  yet  they  stated 
them  as  circulating  reports,  and  declared  at  the  same  time,  that 
they  did  not  offer  tliem  as  complaints,  nor  feel  themselves  bound 
to  support  those  charges.  This  was  in  the  year  1803.  In  1804, 
a  Commission  composed  of  a  part,  and  authorized  by  the  Synod 
of  Kentucky  invested  with  full  power  to  adjudicate  upon,  and 
finally  decide  on  our  case,  were  sent  down  among  us.  Ministers 
and  exhorters  were  all  ordered  to  a{>pear  at  then*  bar.  We 
appeared  accordingly,  and  produced  the  minutes  of  our  Presby- 
tery, and  e.x])ected  them  to  serve  as  written  testimony  of  facts. 
But  the  Commission  paid  very  little  regard  to  them.  They  took 
the  common  fame  letter,  formed  their  docket  from  it,  and 
arranged  their  charges  against  us  in  the  same  order  they  stood  in 
the  letter.  We  plead  to  be  taken  on  onr  minutes,  which  were 
written  testimony  of  all  we  had  done.  And,  if  they  took  us 
upon  that  letter,  that  they  would  call  forward  the  authors  thereof, 
who  had  subsci-ibed  their  names  to  it,  and  agreeably  to  discipline, 
on  charges  exhibited  against  a  gospel  minister,  require  them  to 
support  these  charges,  or  stand  liable  to  censure  for  slanderous 
reports.     But  the  Commission,  regardless  of  all  our  entreaties. 


APPi^xoTX.  483 

commanded  us  to  order.  Tliis  was  the  jrrouiul  on  wliitdi  we 
■were  taken  :  consequently  called  upon  to  answer  for  lioldinir  and 
preaching  false  doctrines,  giving  unjust  judgment,  lic-eusing  not 
only  unlearned,  but  men  of  immoral  characters,  to  exhort  and 
preach.  At  the  same  time  our  accusers  were  free  from  any 
fears  of  being  censured  for  fiilse  and  slanderous  cliargcs. 
Although  nothing  in  any  nor  all  the  charges  brouidit  against  us, 
either  were  or  could  be  proven  in  the  smallest  degree,  except 
that  of  licensing  unlearned  men  to  preach,  which  every  member 
in  Synod  knew  )-ears  before,  yet  were  we  treated  with  the  utmost 
severity.  Threatened  with  Synodical  power,  and  told  to 
remember  we  stood  at  their  bar:  when,  with  meekness  and 
sincerity  we  offered  any  thing  for  our  defence,  such  reflections 
an*d  misconstructions  were  cast  upon  it,  as  would  have  been  truly 
grating  to  a  well  informed,  polite  ear,  from  gentlemen  of  t!ie  bar 
—  much  more  so,  when  coming  from  the  ministers  of  the  meek, 
forbearing  Redeemer  to  their  unprovoking  and  uncondemned 
brethren.  The  Commission  formed  a  resolution  that  we  should 
give  up  all  our  licentiates  fully  to  tlieir  power  to  be  dealt  Avilli  as 
they  saw  proper.  To  this  we  neither  did  nor  could  accede, 
because,  as  a  Presbytery,  we  had  a  right  to  examine  and  license 
our  own  licentiates.  Upon  this  tlie  Commission  in  a  very  awful 
and  public  manner  forbade  all  our  licentiates,  preachers  and 
exhoi'ters,  any  more  to  speak  in  the  name  of  Jesus  as  public 
teachers,  and  cited  us  to  tiie  next  annual  session  of  Synod  in 
October,  1806  :  the  whole  of  us  for  not  submitting  to  the  autliority 
of  the  Commission,  and  three  of  us  for  false  doctrines.  Conscious 
of  it  being  our  right,  as  a  Presbytery,  to  examine  our  own 
candidates,  and  well  knowing  the  unspotted  characters  of  those 
we  had  licensed  —  their  good  natural  endowments,  piety,  and 
usefulness,  the  destitute  and  dangerous  state  of  the  societies 
under  our  care,  we  encouraged  our  licentiates  to  comply  with 
the  entreaties  of  the  people,  (many  of  whom  were  present  by 
their  representatives  at  the  session  of  the  Commission)  to  go 
and  labor  amongst  them  as  formerly.  You  will  be  told  that  they 
were  not  regulai'ly  licensed,  having  only  received  the  Confession 
of  Faith  partially,  but  the  fears  which  caused  that  exception, 
rose  merely  fi'om  the  concise  manner  in  Avhich  the  highly 
mysterious  doctrines  of  divine  decrees  is  there  expressed,  which 
was  thought  led  to  fatality.  So  far  are  they  and  wc  fi-om  rejecting 
either  the  doctrines  or  discipline  therein  contained,  that  every 
preacdier  and  exhorter  in  our  connexion  have  adopted  and 
received  the  Confession,  firmly  persuaded  that  it  contains  the 
best  system  of  scripture  doctrines  and  discipline  of  any  known 


484  APPENDIX. 

by  us  upon  earth  —  but  not  so  sacred  nor  infallible  as  the 
scriptures.  Having  never  once  meditated  nor  desired  to  becomts 
a  new  party,  nor  to  produce  secession  in  the  church,  we  have 
not  constituted  as  a  Presbytery,  since  the  Commission  silenced 
our  licentiates,  neither  do  we  mean  to  constitute,  until  our 
circumstances  render  it  necessary  ;  or  until  every  hope  fails  of 
having  our  rights  as  a  Presbytery  restored,  and  grievances  re- 
dressed by  the  interposition  and  authority  of  your  reverend  bdly. 

In  order  to  prevent  divisions  and  falling  a  prey  to  numerous 
sectaries,  we  found  it  necessary  that  ministers,  and  the  people  by 
their  representatives,  should  meet  occasionally  in  form  of  a 
Council,  to  help  on  the  nov/  laboring  cause  of  God  amongst  us, 
until  in  his  gracious  providence  our  situation  may  be  changed. 
At  those  meetings,  all  our  licentiates  have  cheerfully  submitted 
to  a  re-examination  upon  divinity  as  taught  in  our  shorter 
catechism ;  also  upon  English  grammar  and  other  useful  studies. 

Domestic  circumstances  permitted  only  two  of  us  complying 
with  the  citation  by  the  Commission  of  Synod  in  (October,  1806. 
When  our  business  came  on,  the  first  charge  was  for  false 
doctrines,  viz  :  denying  the  doctrine  of  election,  and  holding  that 
every  man  is  born  with  a  seed  of  grace,  which  if  impi-o\  ed  will 
lead  to  glory.  Well  knowing  that  this  was  a  common  fame 
charge,  and  that  no  person  on  earth  could  support  it  against  us  ; 
and  also,  that  according  to  discipline,  we  ought  first  to  have  been 
called  beiore  the  Presbytery  to  which  we  belonged,  (but  never 
were)  yet  Ave  cheerfully  submitted  to  be  examined  by  Synod. 
A  committee  was  appointed  for  that  purpose.  We  had  a  free 
conversation  upon  doctrine;  and,  from  every  appearance,  the 
committee  in  a  very  short  time  was  fully  satisfied  that  the 
charge  was  i'alse.  We  told  them,  and  now  declare,  that  so  far 
are  we  from  denying  the  doctrine  of  election,  that  we  firmly 
believe  it  a  doctrine  of  the  Bible,  and  so  highly  mysterious  that 
we  are  unable  fully  to  compi-ehend  it.  We  utterly  deny  that 
man  is  born  with  a  seed  of  grace,  but  firmly  believe  that  he  is 
born  with  a  principle  of  enmity  against  God,  which,  if  not 
removed  by  regeneration,  will  lead  to  destruction.  Synod 
required  our  reasons  for  not  submitting  to  the  authority  of  their 
Commission.  Wc  gave  them  as  above  stated.  They  then  called 
upon  us  to  dehver  up  our  licentiates  to  them,  to  be  treated  as 
they  might  judge  proper.  \\ a  answered,  we  could  not  see  it 
consistent  with  (llscipline  to  malce  a  demand  0!i  our  Presbyterial 
rights,  unless  we  by  raal-conduct,  had  forfeited  them.  They  then 
told  us  we  must  and  should  give  them  up,  or  suffer  suspension. 
We  answered,  that  according  to  the  express  letter  of  discipline 


APPENDIX.  485 

on  the  powers  of  the  Presbytery,  we  had  a  right  to  examine, 
license,  and  ordain  our  candidates,  and  therefore  could  not,  on 
the  principles  of  discipline,  pve  them  up ;  also,  that  on  thii 
principles  of  their  demand,  every  thing  that  we  might  hereafter 
do  in  a  Presbyterial  capacity,  (though  strictly  up  to  discipline.) 
was  a  mere  nullity  unless  it  met  with  their  approbation.  Upon 
this  we  were  suspended  from  the  performance  of  i^vevy  part  of 
our  ministerial  office  and  the  communion  of  the  church,  until  we 
manifest  repentance. 

When  we  returned  home  and  informed  our  people,  they 
universally  expressed  their  disapprobation  and  earnestly  besought 
us  to  continue  our  labors  as  formerly  amongst  them.  Knowing, 
that  through  grace,  we  had  been  kept  from  immoral  conduct, 
making  divisions,  or  propagating  false  doctrines,  we  yielded  to 
their  entreaties,  humbly  believing  that  in  so  doing,  we  would  not 
violate  our  ordination  vows;  for  the  scriptures  as  well  as 
discipline,  teach  that  nothing  but  immorality,  heresy  and  schi.-ra 
merit  suspension  —  none  of  whicli  did  the  Synod  appear  even  to 
suspect  us  for,  or  charge  us  with,  as  the  cause  of  our  suspension ; 
but  solely  for  not  submitting  to  their  authority.  Thus,  Synod, 
by  their  Commission,  silenced  all  our  licentiates.  They,  them- 
selves suspended  us,  and  thereby  left  every  congregation  in  our 
bounds  at  once  destitute  of  all  public  means  of  grace,  and 
exposed  to  the  ravages  of  various  sectaries. 

Thus  have  we  given  you  as  concise  and  just  a  statement  of 
our  conduct,  circumstances,  and  distresses  as  we  can.  E,e\  erend 
fathers  and  brothers,  we  now  earnestly  entreat  your  immediate 
interposition  on  our  case ;  for  it  will  not  with  safety  admit  delay. 
We  humbly  hope,  from  tiie  view  vou  now  have  of  our  distresses, 
you  will  sympathize  with  us.  By  your  authority  we  pray  that 
the  prohibition  may  be  taken  otF  our  licentiates,  and  tl,e 
suspension  from  us:  that  you  restore  our  Presbyterial  rights, 
never  forfeited,  but  wrested  from  us;  and  appoint  us  a  Presby- 
tery, as  there  are  bounds  and  members  sutHcient  for  two.  We 
never  have  embraced  the  idea  of  an  unlearned  ministry.  The 
peculiar  state  of  our  country  and  extent  of  the  revival,  redujed 
us  to  the  necessity  of  introducing  more  of  that  description  than 
we  otherwise  would.  We  sincerely  esteem  a  learned  and  pious 
ministry,  and  ho]ie  the  church  will  ne\er  be  left  destitute  of  such 
an  ornament.  Be  assured  that  we  feel  ourselves  equally  bound, 
and  as  strongly  disposed  to  maintain  the  peace  and  purit}-  of  the 
clmrch,  the  dignity  and  mtluence  of  her  ministers,  as  the  Synod 
of  Kentticky. 

We  have  our  struggle?  to  prevent  the   separation  of  many 


486  APPEXDTX. 

respectable  members  from  our  church,  through  their  resentment  to 
the  Synod  (or  its  acts  towards  us.  Our  most  quietinij  persuasive 
witii  theia  is,  never  let  us  make  divisions,  nor  separate  from  the 
cliurcli  to  wliich  we  belong,  but  !ay  our  distresses  before  the 
Genera!  Assembly,  and  wait  the  issue.  So  tliat  if  our  grievances 
are  not  redressesl,  our  rights  restored  and  established  by  your 
sjieedy  interposition  and  authority,  every  res[>eetiible  Presby- 
terian congregation  in  Cumberland  and  the  barrens  of  Kentucky, 
"vvill  be  struck  oGf  from  \our  connexion.  We  humb!}'  trust  that 
3'ou  will  not  view  this  as  a  challenge,  but  a  ]>iece  of  lionest 
information  to  prevent  an  evil  we  sincei'ely  deprecate.  If  you 
grant  our  petition,  you  will  tliereby  cement  all  the  above,  to  the 
church  over  wliicli,  under  Christ,  you  preside.  Entitledl,  we 
firmly  believe,  to  the  blessing  of  peace-makers  and  healers  of 
suf-h  a  dangti-ous  breach,  you  will  give  joy  and  gladness  to 
thousands,  excite  praise  and  thanksgi\ing  to  the  Lord  amongst 
all  our  societies  —  ha\e  their  blessing  upon,  and  their  pra_vers  for 
you  in  all  your  deliberations,  and  from  none  more  sincerely  than 
your  distressed  subscribing  brothers. 


From  the  Presbyterian  Herald. 
Rev.    JAMES     McGREADY. 

Mr.  Editor  :  I  feel  constrained,  from  a  sense  of  duty  to 
the  worthy  dead,  to  ask  a  place  in  the  columns  of  your  useful 
periodical,  while  I  attempt  to  remove  a  disgraceful  stain  wliicli  is 
left — unintentionally  no  doubt  —  on  the  good  name  of  the  late 
Rev.  Jas.  McGready,  by  the  author  of  the  '•  History  of  tiie  Pres- 
b\  terian  Chui-ch,  in  Kentucky."  A  book,  though  written  with 
great  tluency  and  fine  style,  yet,  we  regret  to  say,  that  it  abounds 
almost  in  endless  mistakes,  incorrect  statements,  and  which  ought 
never  to  liave  been  made,  and  which  a  careful  expurgation  would 
greatly  enhance  the  value  of  a  second  edition. 

"  Riding  on  a  cool  day,"  says  the  respected  historian,  "  with  an 
empty  stomach  and  but  recently  recovered  from  a  bilious  fever, 
he  (Rev.  James  McGread}-)  was  induced  by  a  couple  of  wicked 
men  in  company  to  drink  more  liquor  than  he  was  able  to  bear, 
and  became  shamefully   intoxicated."     This,   says   the  history, 


APPENDIX.  487 

^'occuredin  1810."  It  is  a  mistake  as  to  date.  It  must  have 
been  in  the  fall  or  close  of  tlie  year  1806.  It  was  in  February, 
1807,  two  or  three  days  after  the  "Cold  Friday,"  on  which  day  I 
remember  well  of  ridiiig  thirt}'-five  miles,  facing  the  wind  in  the 
then  open  Barrens,  on  the  business  specified  by  our  historian,  as 
follows:  "Li  the  year  1807,  he  (McGready)  was  accused  of 
fraudulent  conduct  in  regard  to  a  cei-tain  piece  of  property  in 
Russellville."  "Messrs.  Kobertson,  Cleland,  and  Rice" — not 
David  Ilice,  but  Claibourne  Ilice,  Ruling  Elder  —  "investigated 
the  matter,  as  a  committee  of  Transyhania  Presbytery."  The 
testimony  of  some  of  the  most  respectable  men  on  the  ground 
''gave  Mr.  McGready  the  most  exalted  character." 

It  was  on  this  occassion,  that  Mr.  ^McGready  confidentially 
communicated  to  brother  Robertson  and  m}self  the  unpleasant 
affair  of  his  intoxication.  It  was  in  substance  as  follows :  He 
stated  that  he  was  recently  on  a  missionary  lour  in  Southern 
Indiana  or  Illinois.  That  he  was  compelled  to  ride  a  considerable 
distance  in  the  morning  before  he  could  obtain  his  breakfast, 
which,  as  I  understood  him,  was  in  the  vicinity  of  his  appointment 
for  the  day,  and  at  the  house  of  a  friend.  No  account  of  two 
sons  of  Belial  with  him.  It  was,  as  will  be  recollected,  in  the 
by-gone  days  —  such  as  we  hope  will  never  return  —  when  the 
sweetened  dram  well  mixed  with  honey  or  the  sugar  bowl,  or 
any  way  you  liked  it,  was  the  first  and  indis])ensable  part  of  the 
hos[)itality  of  a  friendly  house.  This  being  oifercd  to  our  worthy 
brother,  who,  not  suspecting  any  danger,  took,  as  on  ordinary 
occasions,  the  deceitful  beverage  on  an  empty  stomach  alter  a 
long  fast,  and  before  he  was  aware  the  intoxicating  influence 
suddenly  affected  his  head,  so  that  he  soon  became  prostrate  under 
its  delelerious  operation.  That  he  was  deeply  mortified  and 
overwhelmed  with  grief  and  shame  no  one  who  knew  the  man 
will  question  for  a  moment.  But  that  "  he  spent  some  weeks  in 
a  state  of  anguish  almost  comparable  to  the  torments  of  the 
damned,"  as  our  historian  says,  we  rather  incline  to  think  it  an 
exaggeration.  At  least  the  account  given  by  the  relator  did  not 
so  impress  my  mind.  He  also  read  to  us  his  "  wiitten covenant," 
alluded  to  b}^  the  historian,  "  binding  himself  never  to  taste 
si)iritnous  liquors  again,  to  prepare  for  the  press  an  eai-nest 
warning  against  their  use,  to  observe  every  month  "  —  this  is 
incoriect,  it  should  be  every  year  —  "the  day  of  his  fall  as  a  day 
of  fasting,  humilation,"  &c.  He  likewise  read  to  us  tlie  "earnest 
warning  "  prepared  for  the  press,  the  same  as  published  in  the 
volume  of  his  sermons.  The  reason  for  this  confidential  com- 
munication wae,  as  he  informed    us,  to  have  our   opinion  and 


488  APPENDIX. 

advice  as  to  the  propriety  of  liis  making  public  a  plain  and  camliil 
statement  of  the  whole  affair,  accompanied  by  explanatiotis, 
■warnings,  &c.,  as  miglit  be  considered  appropriate  or  necessary, 
He  was  promptly  answered  in  the  negative.  That,  as  the  affai.- 
had  not  yet  been  noised  abroad,  that  as  public  rumor  had  not  yet 
hold  of  it,  that  even  where  it  happened  it  made  no  noise,  that  the 
winds  had  not  yet  wafted  it  to  Kentucky,  and  that  therefore  to 
state  it  himself  would  be  impolitic,  imprudent,  and  do  more  harm 
than  good,  by  giving  it  an  unnecessary,  injurious  publicity. 
It  was  time  enough  to  do  that  wlren  it  should,  if  ever,  become 
necessary. 

I  would  add,  that  I  have  made  this  statement  voluntarily, 
■nHthout  consulting  ilr.  Kobertson,  for  want  of  opportunity.  But 
if  his  memory  serves  him,  he  will,  I  think,  concur  in  what  I  have 
said.  In  conversation  with  a  pious  friend  several  months  ago, 
Mr.  Asa  Farrar,  he  confirms  my  statements  exactly,  having 
received  the  same  from  Mr.  McGready  himself  before  his  death. 
Were  I  acquainted  with  any  of  IMr.  Mc^Gready's  posterity,  I 
would  have  addressed  them  instead  of  adopting  the  present 
method,  that  they  might  do  with  it  as  to  them  might  seem  proper. 
If  Dr.  Davidson  should  determine  to  publish  another  edition  of 
his  history,  it  would  be  gratifying  to  many  in  Kentucky  if  he 
would  leave  out  the  doggerel  rhymes  of  drunken  Tom  Johnson 
against  the  patriarch  of  Kentucky  Presbyterians,  the  Rev.  David 
Rice,  and  especially  section  iii,  page  133,  respecting  the  "  Too 
Free  Communication  of  the  Sexes."  The  picture  of  Prcs- 
byterlanism  in  Kentucky  is,  in  all  conscience,  dark  enough 
■without  that  feature.  It  is  calculated  to  feed  the  licentious, 
confirm  the  infidel,  and  disgust  our  sons  and  daughters,  who  were 
unborn  at  that  time.  The  article,  too,  I  believe  to  be  unnecessarily 
cxa'^f^etated.  —  That  an  imj)roper  use  has  already  been  made  of 
it  we  are  not  without  evidence. 

Thos.  Cr.ELANr>. 


D. 

Rev,  James  McGreadij. 

The  following  is  a  very  just  exhibit  of  the  character  of  this 
holy  and  eminently  useful  minister  of  Jesus  Christ,  written  by 
Eev.  John  Andrews : 

From  the  conduct  and  conversatioii  of  Mr.  McGready,  ther^ 


APPENDIX.  489 

is  abundant  evidence  to  believe  that  he  was  not  only  a  subject  of 
divine  grace  and  unfeigned  piety,  but  that  he  was  favored  with 
great  nearness  to  God  and  intimate  communion  with  liim.  Like 
Enoch,  he  walked  with  God;  like  Jacob,  he  wrestled  with  God, 
by  fervent  persevering  supplications,  for  a  blessing  on  himself 
and  others,  and  prevailed ;  like  Elijah,  he  was  very  jealous  for 
the  Lord  God  of  hosts,  and  regarded  his  kingdom  as  the  great 
end  of  his  existence  on  earth,  to  which  all  other  designs  ought  to 
be  subordinate  ;  like  Job,  he  deeply  abhorred  himself,  repenting, 
as  it  were,  in  dust  and  ashes,  when  he  was  enabled  to  behold  the 

fjurity  of  God  and  his  own  disconformity  to  his  holy  nature  ; 
ike  the  apostle  Paul,  he  counted  all  things  but  loss  for  the 
excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ,  his  Lord ;  and, 
like  him,  he  felt  great  delight  in  preaching  to  his  fellow-men  the 
unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.  He  was  remarkably  plain  in  his 
dress  and  manners ;  but  very  familiar,  communicative,  and 
interesting  in  his  conversation.  He  possessed  a  sound  under- 
standing, and  a  moderate  share  of  human  learning.  The  style 
of  his  sermons  was  not  polished,  but  perspicuous  and  pointed ; 
and  his  manner  of  address  was  unusually  solemn  and  impressive. 
As  a  preacher,  he  was  highly  esteemed  by  the  humble  Ibllowers 
of  the  Lamb,  who  relished  the  precious  truths  which  he  clearly 
exhibited  to  their  view ;  but  he  was  hated,  and  sometimes 
bitterly  reproached  and  persecuted,  not  only  by  the  openly 
vicious  and  profane,  but  by  many  nominal  Christians,  or  furmal 
professors,  who  could  not  bear  his  heart-searching  and  penetratinrf 
addresses,  and  the  indignation  of  the  Almighty  against  the 
ungodly,  which,  as  a  son  of  thunder,  he  clearly  presented  to  the 
view  of  their  guilty  minds  from  the  awful  denunciations  of  the 
word  of  truth.  Although  he  did  not  fail  to  preach  Jesus  Christ, 
and  him  crucified,  to  laboring  and  heavy  laden  sinners,  and  to 
administer  the  consolation  which  the  gosjjel  speaks  to  humble 
believers  ;  yet  he  was  more  distinguished  by  a  talent  for  depicting 
the  guilty  and  deplorable  situations  of  impenitent  sinners,  and 
the  awful  consequences  of  their  rebellion  against  God,  without 
speedy  repentance  unto  life  and  a  living  faith  in  the  blood  of 
spi'inkling.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  his  faithful  and 
indefatigable  labors  in  the  gospel  of  Christ  were  crowned  with  a 
great  degree  of  success,  and  that  he  was  honored  as  an  instrument 
in  the  conviction  and  conversion  of  many  sinners,  and  more 
especially  in  the  commencement  and  progress  of  several  powerful 
revivals  of  religion,  in  difierent  places,  during  which  he  labored 
with  distinguished  zeal  and  activity. 

We  shall  conclude  our  remarks  by  observing,  that  some  of  the 


490  APPENDIX. 

traits  in  Mr.  McGready's  character  as  a  Christian,  which  are 
worthy  of  our  imitation,  were  his  fervent  piety,  his  unaffected 
humility,  his  earnest,  perseverincj  supplications  at  the  throne  of 
grace,  his  resignation  to  the  will  of  God  under  the  afflictions, 
bereavements  and  poverty,  with  which  he  was  tried  in  this  world, 
his  cheerful  reliance  on  God's  kind  and  watchful  providence  and 
confidence  in  his  great  and  pi-ecious  promises,  and  his  contemj)t 
of  the  pomp  and  vanities  of  this  world,  to  which  he  seemed  to 
be,  in  a  great  degree,  crucified.  And,  as  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  lie  ought  to  be  imitated  in  his  regard  to  the  honor  of  God 
and  the  salvation  of  souls,  his  vigorous  and  zealous  exertions  to 
promote  these  grand  objects,  his  fidelity  in  declaring  the  whole 
counsel  of  God,  and  his  patience  in  bearing  the  reviliogs  of  the 
ungodly. 


E. 

Circular  to  the  Ministers,  Elders,  and  Members  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church. 

My  Bkloved  Bretiiukn:  —  The  time  has  been,  I  know, 
when  my  counsels  and  warnings  would  have  some  influence  on 
the  members  of  our  church ;  when  we  mingled  our  tears  and 
prayers  together  with  all  the  tenderness  of  Christian  sympathy 
and  fraternal  affection.  Though  some  of  those  with  whom  I 
have  labored,  prayed  and  agonized  in  times  of  sore  trial,  and 
deep  distress,  have  gone  to  their  reward ;  yet  some  remain  to 
this  day,  engaged  in  doing  and  suffering  Jehovah's  will.  These 
1  can  address  with  my  accustomed  frankness.  To  these  I  can 
appeal  with  Christian  confidence.  I  know  them  ;  for  our  inter- 
course has  been  sweet  and  impressive  in  times  of  sorrow  as  well 
as  of  joy.  I  cannot  be  mistaken  in  them ;  for  I  have  often 
witnessed  the  trial  of  their  allegiance  to  God  and  the  church, 
not  only  in  prosperity  but  in  adversity.  To  these  I  can  speak 
with  honest  confidence  and  affectionate  solicitude,  as  I  did  in 
davs  past,  when  we  took  "  sweet  counsel  together,  and  walked  to 
the  house  of  God  in  company." 

But  since  our  church  has  rapidly  increavod  in  numbers  and 
extended  itself  through  the  whole  Missisippi  Valley,  and  beyond 
the  Alleghany  Mountains — since  with  many  ministers  and 
people  who  now  belong  to  the  church,  I  have  no  acquaintance  — 
especially  since  I  recollect,  what  poor  human  nature  is,  and  how 


APPENDIX.  491 

it  was  acted  out  on  some  occasions,  towards  even  the  great,  the 
■n-ise,  and  holy  Apostle  Paul,  which  led  him  to  say,  "  once  you 
would  have  given  me  your  very  eyes.  Am  I  therefore  to  become 
your  enemy  because  I  tell  you  the  truth  ?  "  I  have  hesitated 
about  writing  this  communication.  But  I  have  determined  to 
make  one  more  appeal  to  you  all,  in  the  simphcity  and  sincerity 
of  my  heart. 

I  have  recently  learned,  with  great  surprise  and  astonishment, 
that  our  College,  our  one  and  onlii  College,  is  in  danger  of 
passing  into  other  hands,  for  want  of  patronage  from  our  denom- 
ination !  ! !  AVill  this  be,  can  this  be  permitted  to  take  place  by 
our  people  ?  I  trust  not.  I  will  not  believe  it,  till  forced  to  do 
60  by  the  shamef'iJ  and  disgraceful  apathy  of  our  people.  What ! 
our  whole  denommation  not,  (I  will  not  say  able,)  not  willinor  to 
endow,  sustain,  cherish  and  suport  one  high  school,  conducted  by 
our  own  faithful  and  qualified  ministers,  for  the  benefit  of  our 
church  !  Let  such  a  suicidal  thought  never  be  entertained  for  a 
moment.  I  will  never  consent  to  surrender  that  scriptural  and 
happy  provision,  in  our  discipline,  which  allows  gifted  men,  with 
a  good  English  education  to  be  ordained  ministers  in  our  church. 
Bat,  it  is  too  late  in  the  day  to  deny  or  blink  at  the  fact,  that  our 
church  must  have  a  portion,  and  goodly  portion  too,  of  thorou<Thly 
educated  ministers,  or  we  cannot  sustain  ourselves ;  while  all 
other  denominations  are  multiplying  College  after  College, 
endowing  them,  supporting  them,  sending  their  children  to  them, 
and  educating  a  large  portion  of  their  ministry  in  them.  JJamn- 
ing  heresy,  too,  is  increasing  and  dares  to  appeal  to  original 
languages,  literature,  &c.,  to  support  it !  It  must  be  met  on  its 
own  appeal.  Moreover,  literature  is  rapidly  increasing  amon"f 
the  community,  and  we  must  keep  pace  with  this- improvement, 
in  our  church.  Are  our  principles  worth  maintaining  ?  Do  we 
hold,  and  have  we  taught  the  truth  ?  Has  not,  and  does  not 
(iod  own  the  doctrines  we  have  preached?  Are  not  our 
doctrines  supported,  or  were  they  not  taught  by  the  early  fathers 
of  the  Christian  church  ?  In  short,  are  they  not  supported  by 
the  holy  book  of  God  V 

I  will  now  touch  some  of  the  prominent  causes  why  our 
College  lias  not  been,  and  is  not  now  supported  as  it  should  be. 

Firxt.  The  plan  was  an  experiment  —  and  though  happily 
conceived  and  proj)Osed  by  its  excellent  president,  those  eniiaTed 
in  coiiilucting  the  fiirm,  the  finances,  &c.,  &c.,  lacked  experience 
in  the  new  system,  ami  the  result  was,  it  soon  became  a  sinkin" 
concern  ;  and  with  all  the  sacrifices  of  the  president  and  profes- 
sors, (and  th.'^y  were  great)  the  repeated  exertions  of  the  church, 


49'2  APPENDIX. 

and  calls  on  her  liberality,  it  seemed  that  it  must  go  doAvn ; 
until  an  association  of  benevolent  brethren  and  other  friends  to 
literature,  determined  to  assmne  all  the  debts  and  take  the 
management  of  it  in  their  own  hands. 

Secondly.  Since  that  time  the  church  has  been  resting  in  com- 
parative security,  supposing  now  all  was  well,  and  would  be  well 
—  and  has  not  exerted  her  influence  sufliclently  in  favor  of 
the  institution. 

ThinUij.  There  has  always  been  in  and  out  of  the  church, 
(sometimes  greater,  sometimes  less,)  a  strange,  unnatural,  and 
to  my  mind,  criminal  negligence  in  sending  on  students  —  and 
even  a  disposition  has  been  manifested,  nay,  acted  out,  to  send 
their  children  to  other  institutions  of  learning,  belonging  to  otlier 
denominations  rather  than  our  own  !  ^V'hat  other  denomination 
in  the  whole  world  does  so  V  This  has  been,  and  now  is,  a  vital 
cause  why  our  College  is  in  danger.  I  ask  again,  is  this  cause 
not  most  unnatural  and  suicidal  ?  Does  it  not  evince  a  wonderful 
want  of  foresight  ?  Are  we  not  virtually  saying,  let  all  other 
denominations  have  a  learned  ministry  but  our  own,  and  we  will 
help  them  on  with  our  money,  &c.  ? 

Fourthhj.  Our  College  is  not,  as  aU  other  prosperous  Colleges 
are,  endowed  with  permanent  funds.  Any  seminary  of  learning, 
entirely  dependent  on  tuition  fees,  must  be  often  in  jeopardy, 
and  liable  to  sink.  Owing  to  the  caprice  of  parents,  guardians, 
and  students,  the  number  of  pupils  will  fluctuate,  and  often 
threaten,  by  that  means,  the  very  existence  of  any  institution, 
which  is  thus  dependent.  Therefore,  there  is  an  absolute  neces- 
sity of  a  permanent  fund,  the  interest  of  which  will  always 
procure  the  services  of  a  com.petent  president,  and  the  necessary 
number  of  able  professors.  We  have  such  men  in  our  church, 
whose  services  can  be  procured  at  a  foir  reasonable  compensation, 
who  would  do  honor  to  any  learned  institution.  "  Flattery  is 
falsehood  : "  therefore,  I  do  not  flatter  when  I  distinctly  declare, 
that  in  my  opinion,  the  president  of  Cumberland  College,  has 
evinced  a  rare,  religious,  patriotism,  in  continuing  at  the  head  of 
that  institution,  when  he  had  to  undergo,  on  many  occasions,  so 
much  mortification  of  his  feelings,  as  well  as  great  pecuniary 
loss.  And  were  I  permitted  to  choose  through  the  width  and 
breadth  of  our  America,  I  have  no  knowledge  of  any  one  that  I 
would  prefer  to  him  for  the  place  he  fills.  By  bearing  this 
candid  testimony  in  behalf  of  the  president,  I  would  not  be 
understood  as  disparaging  the  professors  that  have  been  or  now 
are  employed  in  the  College.  Far  othervrise.  The  most  of  them 
were  most  excellent  men,  and  it  is  to  be  deeply  regretted,  that 


APPENDIX.  493 

necessity  compelled  some  of  them  to  leave  the  institution.  Shall 
these  things  continue  ?  They  must  often  occur,  at  least  ■vvitlioiit 
a  permanent  fund —  whose  principal  shall  never  be  touched,  and 
1^•ll0se  interest  shall  be  exclusively  applied  for  the  salaries  of  the 
president  and  professors.  Then  tuition  fees,  might  be  applied 
to  the  improvement  and  extension  of  the  buildings,  the  increase 
of  the  library  and  apparatus,  and  the  gradual  increase  of  the 
permanent  fund. 

But,  do  you  ask  how  shall  this  fund  be  raised  ?  I  answer,  let 
the  church,  the  whole  church,  nay,  Iialf  the  church  unll  it,  and  it 
can  be  raised  in  a  week  !  The  interest  on  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars  would  be  entirely  ample,  (vested  in  safe  and  profitable 
stock,)  to  employ  and  sustain  a  president  and  all  necessai-y 
professors,  through  all  time.  And  could  not  that  sum  be  raised  ? 
It  would  amount  to  but  a  fraction  more  than  one  dollar  for 
each  member  of  our  church  !  Then,  my  dear  bretliren,  will  we, 
can  we  permit  our  College,  located  most  favorably,  in  the  centre 
of  our  denomination,  to  pass  into  the  hands  of  another  denomi- 
nation, which  is  willing  amply  to  suppjort  it,  a  denomination  not 
much,  if  any,  superior  to  our  own  in  numbers  —  and  which 
already  has  under  its  care  several  Colleges  and  other  institutions 
of  learning  —  a  denomination,  too,  which  as  a  body,  (there  are 
some  honorable  exceptions,)  you  have  not  recognized  as  zealous 
experimental  preachers —  will  we  permit  such  a  catastrophe, 
which  would  fix  an  indelible  stain  on  our  whole  church,  and 
cause  us  to  become  a  by-word  ?  I  cannot,  I  will  not  believe  it. 
Tlien  let  every  minister,  elder,  and  other  prominent  member  of 
the  church,  from  Pennsylvania  to  Texas,  commence  immediatel}- ; 
give  what  he  can  himself,  and  collect  what  he  can  from  his 
brethren  and  other  friends  to  learning  in  ready  cash,  as  a  part  of 
the  permanent  fund,  and  bring  or  send  it  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly.; and  while  they  are  collecting,  inc^uire  how  much  can  be 
laised  by  semi,  or  annual  subscription,  for  said  fund.  And  then 
let  the  report  be  made  to  the  General  Assembly,  for  their  action. 

Brethren,  I  am  not  wealthy,  as  some  at  a  distance  have 
supposed  —  for  conscience  sake,  I  have  made  a  large  sacrifice  of 
vay  property  ;  *  moreover,  I  have  many  indigent  orphan  children, 
and  near  relations,  whom  I  feel  bound  to  aid  in  a  pecuniary  way, 
and  in  their  education.  Yet  I  am  willing  to  throw  in  my  mite 
to  accomplish  an  object  that  lies  so  near  my  heart ;  and  which  I 
believe  will  be  productive  of  so  much  good  to  the  world,  and 
jiarticularly  to  our  own  denomination  ;  and  which  I  believe  God 
will  not  only  approve,  but,  which  I  think  HE  requires  at  our 
*  The  aUuFion  is.  doubtless,  to  the  pmancipation  of  his  slaTes, 


494  APPENDIX. 

hands.  Then,  if  the  brethren,  through  their  delegates  at  the 
next  General  Assembly,  determine  to  raise  the  fund  of  which  I 
have  been  speakinix,  not  less  than  $.50,000,  nor  more  than 
S100,000  —  I  will  bind  myself  and  heirs,  out  of  my  own  money, 
(and  collect  what  I  can  besides,)  to  pay  S250  towards  the  first 
S50,000,  and  $250  towards  the  second  $50,000,  or  in  that  pro- 
portion, at  such  time  or  times  as  the  General  Assembly  may 
prescribe  —  aggregate  $500.  Paul  says,  "  for  we  brought  nothing 
into  this  world,  and  it  is  certain  we  can  carry  nothing  out." 

I  would  respectfully  suggest  the  propriety  of  all  our  Presby- 
teries, taking  this  matter  into  serious  consideration,  and  have 
that  action  on  it  which  the  crisis  demands. 

I  ho[)e  to  see  many  of  you  at  the  Assembly,  but  if  I  should 
not  be  there,  siiould  the  Lord  spare  me,  I  do,  and  will  hope,  I 
shall  bear  of  some  decisive  action  in  this  matter,  and  that  of  a 
paper,  an  organ  for  our  whole  church,  which  will  be  honoring  to 
God,  beneficial  to  his  church,  and  give  joy  to  every  true-hearted 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  :  May  the  Great  Head  of  the  church, 
even  Jesus,  bless  }0u  and  yours  —  Amen. 

FINIS  EWmG. 


Narrative  of  the  Commencement  and  Progress  of  the  Revival 
of  1800;  hy  the  late  Eev.  J\mks  McGrkady,  in  a  letter 
to  a  friend. 

LoCtAN  County,  Ky.,  Oct.  23,  1801. 

But  I  promised  to  give  you  a  short  statement  of  our  blessed 
revival ;  on  wliich  you  will  at  once  say,  the  Lord  has  done  great 
things  for  us  in  the  wilderness,  and  the  solitary  place  has  been 
made  glad  ;  the  desert  has  rejoiced  and  blossomed  as  the  rose. 

In  the  mouth  of  May,  1  797,  which  was  the  spring  after  I  came 
to  this  country,  the  Lord  graciously  visited  Gasper  ri\er  congre- 
gation (an  infant  church  then  under  my  charge.)  The  doctrines 
of  regenerafioii,  faitli,  and  repentance,  which  I  uniformly 
preached,  seemed  to  call  the  attention  of  the  people  to  a  serious 
inquiry.  During  the  winter  the  question  was  often  proposed  to 
me,  is  religion  a  sensible  thing  ?  If  I  were  converted  would  I 
feel  it,  and  know  it  ?     In  May,  as  I  said  before,  the  work  began. 


APPENDIX.  495 

A  woman,  wlio  had  been  a  professor,  in  full  communion  with 
the  church,  found  her  old  hope  false  and  delusive  —  she  was 
struck  with  deep  conviction,  and  in  a  few  days  was  filled  with 
joy  and  peace  in  believing.  She  Immediately  visited  her  fi-iends 
and  relatives,  from  house  to  house,  and  warned  them  of  thtir 
danger  in  a  most  solemn,  faithful  manner,  and  plead  witii  them 
to  repent  and  seek  religion.  This,  as  a  mean,  was  accompanied 
with  the  divine  blessing  to  the  awakening  of  many.  About  this 
time  the  ears  of  all  in  that  congregation  seemed  to  be  open  to 
receive  the  word  preached,  and  almost  every  sermon  was  accom- 
panied with  the  power  of  God,  to  the  awakening  of  sinners. 
During  the  summer  about  ten  persons  in  the  congregation  were 
brought  to  Christ.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  a  general  deadness 
seemed  to  creep  on  apace.  Conviction  and  conversion  work, 
in  a  great  measure,  ceased;  and  no  visible  alteration  for  the 
better  took  jjlace,  until  the  summer  of  1798,  at  the  administration 
of  the  sacrament  of  the  supper,  which  was  in  July.  On  Monday 
the  Lord  graciously  poured  out  his  Spirit ;  a  very  general 
awakening  took  place  —  perhaps  but  few  families  in  the  congre- 
gation could  be  found  who,  less  or  more,  were  not  struck  with  an 
awful  sense  of  their  lost  estate.  During  the  week  following  but 
few  persons  attended  to  worldly  business,  their  attention  to  the 
business  of  their  souls  was  so  great.  On  the  first  Sabbath  of 
September  tlie  sacrament  was  administered  at  Muddy  river,  (one 
of  my  congregations.)  At  this  meeting  the  Lord  graciously 
poured  forth  his  Spirit,  to  the  awakening  of  many  careless 
sinners.  Through  these  two  congregations  already  mentioned, 
and  through  Red  river,  my  other  congregation,  awakening  work 
went  on  with  power  under  every  sermon.  The  people  seemed 
to  hear  as  for  eternity.  In  every  house,  and  almost  in  every 
company,  the  whole  conversation  with  people,  was  about  the 
state  of  tlieir  souls.  About  tliis  time  Rev.  J.  B.  came  here,  and 
found  a  Mr.  R.  to  join  him.  In  a  little  time  he  involved  our 
infant  churches  in  confusion,  disputation,  &c.,  opposed  the  doc- 
trines preached  here  ;  ridiculed  the  whole  work  of  the  revival ; 
formed  a  considerable  party,  &c.,  &c.  In  a  few  weeks  this 
seemed  to  have  put  a  final  stop  to  the  whole  work,  and  our  infant 
congregation  remained  in  a  state  of  deadness  and  darkness  from 
the  fall,  tlirough  the  winter,  and  until  the  month  of  July,  1799, 
at  the  administration  of  the  sacrament  at  Red  river.  This  was  a 
very  solemn  time  throughout.  On  Monday  the  power  of  God 
seemed  to  fill  the  congregation ;  the  boldest,  daring  pinners  in 
the  country  covered  their"  feces  and  wept  bitterly.  After  the 
congregation  was  dismissed,   a  large  number  of  people  stayed 


496  APPENDIX. 

about  the  doors,  unwillintj  to  go  away.  Some  of  tlie  ministers 
proposed  to  me  to  collect  the  people  in  the  meeting  house  again, 
and  perform  prayer  with  tliem;  accordinsly  we  went  in,  and 
joined  in  prayer  and  exhortation.  The  mighty  power  of  God 
came  amongst  us  like  a  shower  from  the  everlasting  hills —  God'? 
]:>eople  were  tjuickened  and  comforted  ;  yea,  some  of  them  were 
filled  with  joy  unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory.  Sinners  were 
powerfully  alarmed,  and  some  precious  souls  were  brought  to  feel 
the  pardoning  love  of  Jesus. 

At  Gas[)er  river  (at  this  time  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Rankin, 
a  precious  instrument  in  the  hand  of  God)  the  sacrament  was 
administered  in  August.  This  was  one  of  the  days  of  the  Son 
of  Man,  indeed,  especially  on  INIonday.  I  preached  a  plain 
gospel  sermon  on  Hebrews  xi,  and  16.  The  better  country.  A 
great  solemnity  continued  during  the  sermon.  After  sermon  Mr. 
Rankin  gave  a  solemn  exhortation  —  the  congregation  was  then 
dismissed;  but  the  people  all  kept  their  seats  for  a  considerable 
space,  whilst  awful  solemnity  appeared  in  the  countenances  of  a 
large  majorit\-.  Presently  several  persons  under  deep  convic- 
tions broke  forth  into  a  loud  outcry — many  fell  to  the  ground, 
lay  powerless,  groaning,  praying,  and  crying  for  mercy.  As  I 
passed  through  the  multitude,  a  woman,  lying  in  awful  distress, 
called  me  to  her.  Said  she  :  "  I  lived  in  your  congregation  in 
Carolina ;  I  was  a  professor,  and  often  went  to  the  communion ; 
but  I  was  deceived;  I  have  no  religion;  I  am_  going  to  hell." 
In  another  place  an  old,  gray-headed  man  lay  in  an  agony  of 
distress,  addressing  his  weeping  wife  and  children  in  such  lan- 
guage as  this:  "We  are  all  going  to  hell  together;  \ye  have 
Pived  prayerless,  ungodly,  lives ;  the  work  of  our  souls  is  yet  to 
befrin  ;  we  must  get"  religion,  or  we  will  all  be  damned."  But 
time  would  fail  me  to  mention  every  instance  of  this  kind. 

At  Muddy  river  the  sacrament  was  administered  in  Septem- 
ber. The  power  of  God  was  gloriously  present  on  this  occasion. 
The  circumstances  of  it  are  equal,  if  not  superior  to  those  of 
Gasper  river.  Many  souls  were  solemnly  awakened  ;  a  number, 
we  hope,  converted  —  whilst  the  people  of  God  feasted  on  the 
hidden  manna,  and,  with  propriety,  might  be  said  to  sing  the  new 
song. 

liut  the  year  1800  exceeds  all  that  my  eyes  ever  beheld 
ni)on  earth.  All  that  I  have  related  is  only,  as  it  were,  an  intro- 
duction. Although  many  souls  in  these  congregations,  during 
the  three  preceding  years,  have  been  savingly  converted,  and 
now  give  living  evidences  of  their  union  to  Christ ;  yet  all  that 
work    is   only   like   a   few  drops   before  a  mighty  rain,   when 


APPENDIX.  497 

compared  with  tlie  wonders  of  Almighty  grace,  that  took  place  in 
the  year  1800. 

In  June  the  sacrament  was  administered  at  Red  riv er.  This 
was  the  greatest  time  we  had  ever  seen  before.  On  Monday 
multitudes  were  struck  down  under  awful  conviction  ;  the  cries 
of  the  distressed  filled  the  whole  house.  There  you  might  see 
profane  swearers,  and  Sabbath-breakers  pricked  to  the  heart, 
and  crying  out,  "  what  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ? "  There 
frolickers  and  dancers  crying  for  mercy.  There  you  might  see 
little  children  of  ten,  eleven,  and  twelve  years  of  age,  praying, 
and  crying  for  redemption,  in  the  blood  of  Jesus,  in  agonies  of 
distress.  During  this  sacrament,  and  until  the  Tuesday  following, 
ten  persons,  we  believe,  were  savingly  brought  home  to  Christ. 

In  July  the  sacrament  was  administered  in  Gasper  river  con- 
gregation. Here  multitudes  crowded  from  all  parts  of  the 
country  to  see  a  strange  work,  from  the  distance  of  forty,  fifty, 
and  even  a  hundred  miles  ;  whole  families  came  in  their  wagons ; 
between  twenty  and  thirty  wagons  were  brought  to  the  place, 
loaded  with  people,  and  their  provisions,  in  order  to  encamp  at 
the  meeting  house.  On  Friday  nothing  more  appeared,  during 
the  day,  than  a  decent  solemnity.  On  Saturday  matters  continued 
in  the  same  way,  until  in  the  evening.  Two  pious  women  were 
sitting  together,  conversing  about  then-  exercises ;  which  conver- 
sation seemed  to  afi'ect  some  of  the  by-standers ;  Instantly  the 
divine  flame  spread  through  the  whole  multitude.  Presently 
you  might  have  seen  sinners  lying  powerless  in  every  part  of  the 
house,  praying  and  crying  for  mercy.  Ministers  and  private 
Christians  were  kept  busy  during  the  night  conversing  with  the 
distressed.  This  night  a  goodly  number  of  awakened  souls  were 
delivered  by  sweet  believing  views  of  the  glory,  fullness,  and 
sufficiency  of  Christ,  to  save  to  the  uttermost.  Amongst  these  were 
some  httle  children  —  a  striking  proof  of  the  religion  of  Jesus. 
Of  many  instances  to  which  I  have  been  an  eye  Avitness,  I  shall 
only  mention  one,  viz. :  a  little  girl.  I  stood  by  her  whilst  she 
lay  across  her  mother's  lap  almost  in  despair.  I  was  conversing 
with  her  when  the  first  gleam  of  light  broke  in  upon  her  mind  — ■ 
she  started  to  her  feet,  and  in  an  ecstacy  of  joy,  she  cried  out, 
"  O,  he  is  willing,  he  is  willing  —  he  is  come,  he  is  come —  O, 
•what  a  sweet  Christ  he  is  —  O,  what  a  precious  Christ  he  is  — 
O,  what  a  fullness  I  see  in  him  —  O,  Avhat  a  beauty  I  see  in 
him — O,  why  was  it  that  I  never  could  believe!  that  I  never 
could  come  to  Christ  before,  when  Christ  was  so  willing  to  save 
me  ? "  ^  Then  turning  round,  she  addressed  sinners,  aj,id  told 
them  of  the  glorv,  willingness  and  predousness  of  Christ,  and 
42 


498  APPENDIX. 

plead  with  them  to  repent;  and  all  this  in  language  so  heavenly, 

and,  at  the  same  time,  so  rational  and  scriptural,  that  I  was  filled 
with  astonishment.  But  were  I  to  write  you  every  particular  of 
this  kind  that  I  have  been  an  eye  and  ear  witness  to,  during  the 
past  two  years,  it  would  fill  many  sheets  of  paper. 

At  this  sacrament  a  great  many  people  from  Cumberland, 
particularly  from  Shiloh  congregation,  came  with  great  curiosity 
to  see  the  work,  yet  prepossessed  with  strong  prejudices  against 
it ;  about  five  of  whom,  1  trust,  were  savingly  and  powerfully 
converted  before  they  left  the  place.  A  circumstance  worthy  of 
observation,  they  were  sober  professors  in  full  communion.  It 
was  truly  affecting  to  see  them  lying  powerless,  crying  for  mercy, 
and  speaking  to  their  friends  and  relations,  in  such  language  aa 
this  :  "  O,  we  despised  the  work  that  we  heard  of  in  Logan ;  but,  O, 
we  were  deceived  —  I  have  no  rehgion  ;  I  know  now  there  is  a 
reality  in  these  things :  three  days  ago  I  would  have  despised  any 
person  that  would  have  behaved  as  I  am  doing  now  ,•  but,  O,  I 
feel  the  very  pains  of  hell  in  my  soul."  This  was  the  language 
of  a  precious  soul,  just  before  the  hour  of  deliverance  came. 
When  they  went  home,  their  conversation  to  their  friends  and 
neighbors,  was  the  means  of  commencing  a  glorious  work  that 
has  overspread  all  the  Cumberland  settlements  to  the  conversion 
of  hundreds  of  precious  souls.  The  work  continued  night  and 
day  at  this  sacrament,  whilst  the  vast  multitude  continued  upon 
the  ground  until  Tuesday  morning.  According  to  the  best  com- 
putation, we  believe  that  forty-five  souls  were  brought  to  Christ 
on  this  occasion. 

Muddy  river  sacrament,  in  all  its  circumstances,  was  equal, 
and  in  some  respects  superior,  to  that  at  Gasper  river.  This 
sacrament  was  in  August.  We  believe  about  fifty  persons,  at 
this  time,  obtained  religion. 

At  Ridge  sacrament,  in  Cumberland,  the  second  Sabbath  in 
September,  about  forty-five  souls,  we  believe,  obtained  religion. 

At  Shiloh  sacrament,  the  third  Sabbath  in  September,  about 
seventy  persons. 

At  Mr.  Craighead's  sacrament,  in  October,  about  forty  persons. 

At  the  Clay  liick  sacrament,  congregation,  in  Logan  county, 
in  October,  eight  persons. 

At  Little  JNIuddy  Creek  sacrament,  in  November,  about  twelve. 

At  Montgomery's  meeting  house,  in  Cumberland,  about  forty. 

At  Hopewell  sacrament,  in  Cumberland,  in  November,  about 
twenty  persons. 

To  mention  the  circumstances  of  more  private  occasions,  com- 
mon d5.ys  preaching,  and  societies,  would  swell  a  letter  to  a  volume. 


APPENDIX.  490 

The  present  year  has  been  a  blessed  season  Hkewse  ;  yet  not 
equal  to  last  year  in  conversion  work.  I  shall  just  give  you  a 
list  of  our  sacraments,  and  the  number,  we  believe,  experienced 
reliLnon  at  each,  during  the  present  year,  1801. 

[My  correspondent  here  mentions  several  different  sacraments, 
held  at  different  places,  and  the  number  that  he  hopes  obtained 
true  religion,  at  these  several  solemnities,  amounts  in  all  to  one 
hundred  and  forty-four  persons.     He  then  proceeds:] 

I  would  just  remark  that,  among  the  great  numbers  in  our 
country  that  professed  to  obtain  religion,  I  scarcely  know  an 
instance  of  any  that  gave  a  comfortable  ground  of  hope  to  the 
people  of  God,  that  they  had  religion,  and  have  been  admitted 
to  the  privileges  of  the  church,  that  have,  in  any  degree,  disgraced 
their  profession,  or  given  us  any  ground  to  doubt  their  religion. 

Were  I  to  mention  to  you  the  rapid  progress  of  this  work,  in 
vacant  congregations,  carried  on  by  the  means  of  a  few  supplies, 
and  by  praying  societies  —  such  as  at  Stone's  river.  Cedar  creek, 
Goose  creek,  the  Red  Banks,  the  Forentain  Head,  and  many 
other  places  —  it  would  be  more  than  time,  or  the  bounds  of  a 
letter  would  admit  of.  Mr.  McGready  and  myself  administered 
the  sacrament  at  the  Red  Banks,  on  the  Ohio,  about  a  month 
ago  —  a  vacant  congregation,  nearly  a  Imndred  miles  distant 
from  any  regular  organized  societ}-,  formerly  a  place  famed  for 
wickedness,  and  a  perfect  synagogue  of  Satan.  I  visited  them 
twice  at  an  early  period ;  Mr.  R.  twice,  and  Mr.  H.  once. 
These  supplies  the  l^ord  blessed,  as  a  means  to  start  his  work ; 
and  their  praying  societies  were  attended  with  the  power  of  God, 
to  the  conversion  of  almost  whole  families.  When  we  adminis- 
tered the  sacrament  amongst  them,  they  appeared  to  be  the  most 
blessed  little  society  I  ever  saw.  I  ordained  ten  elders  among 
them,  all  precious  Christians ;  three  of  whom,  two  years  ago, 
were  professed  deists,  now  living  monuments  of  Almighty  grace. 
The  original  is  signed, 

JAMES  McGREADY. 


600  APPENDIX. 

G. 

Rev.  J.  P.  Wilson's  Letter  to  Mr.  Hodge. 

Immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  the  Assembly,  1808, 
Rev.  James  P.  Wilson,  minister  of  the  first  Presbyterian  church, 
in  Philadelphia,  wrote  the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Hodge : 

Reverend  and  Dear  Brother  in  the  Lord  .  —  It  was 
chiefly  with  a  view  to  your  case,  that  I  was  in  the  Assembly  this 
ycaf ;  many  of  us  are  anxious  that  you  and  your  brethren  should 
be  relieved  from  your  embarrassing  situation.  T!ie  great  major- 
ity of  the  General  Assembly  were  entirely  disposed  to  do  every 
thing  in  your  favor  that  would  be  just  and  proper,  or  that  you 
could  reasonably  have  wished.  K  the  records  of  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky  had  been  before  us,  we  should  without  difficulty  have 
reversed  your  suspension  :  but  we  had  no  communication  fi'om 
that  Synod,  and  could  not  concern  with  them  absent.  Yet  this 
cannot  essentially  affect  you  ;  for  if  the  work  of  their  Commis- 
sion was  without  constitutional  authority  and  wholly  void,  and 
this  is  the  better  opinion  ;  and  also  if  the  ordinations  made  by 
you,  before  the  dissolution  of  your  Presbytery,  were  by  lawful 
authority,  you  are  as  truly  in  the  ministerial  office  (though  not  a 
Presbytery)  as  you  can  be.  I  am  very  glad  to  discover  that  you 
have  not  acted  as  a  Presbytery ;  I  beseech  you  to  i-efrain  from 
this,  and  continue  as  you  are  a  little  longer,  and  we  have  every 
reason  to  believe  that  your  troubles  will  be  ended  at  the  ne.xt 
General  Assembly. 

But  it  is  necessary  that  you  should  apply  to  the  Synod  of 
Kentucky  by  petition  or  otherwise,  and  desire  a  revision  or 
reconsideration  of  their  proceedings  with  respect  to  you  ;  if  they 
take  off  the' suspension,  you  are  then  restored  to  the  greater 
body  of  the  visible  church,  received  as  members  of  the  Synod, 
and  to  representation  in  the  General  Assembly ;  if  they  refuse, 
you  can  enter  your  appeal  and  forward  a  petition  of  that  kind  to 
the  next  General  Assembly,  and  thus  your  case  will  be  brought 
up  in  such  a  way  as  that  body  can,  and  no  doubt  will,  give  you 
redress.  I  am  aware  that  this  Is  a  disagreeable  condescension  on 
your  part,  but  the  cause  of  Christ's  church  requires  it,  and  he 
will  give  you  grace  to  be  and  do  any  thing  for  his  glory  ;  nor  ia 
it  necessary  to  suggest  to  you  that  calmness,  much  meekness  and 
good  temper  will  be  important  in  the  application,  nor  can  that  be 
an  acknowledgment  of  the  validity  of  the  former  proceedings. 


APPENDIX.  601 

We  are  arlad  to  hear  of  the  prudence,  diligence,  and  success 
of  the  brethren  you  admitted.  If  they  hold  the  form  of  sound 
words,  and  are  steadfast  in  the  faith,  they  will  be  as  much 
beloved  by  the  most  of  us,  as  though  they  had  studied  long  and 
graduated.  Yet  our  standards  on  the  point  of  qualificatiolis  in 
future  had  better  be  adhei-ed  to ;  as  the  church  ■will  be  mtjre 
stable,  and,  if  demands  for  ministers  increase,  you  can  set  up  a 

frammar  school,  and  the  candidates  will  easily  acquire  a  sufficient 
nowledge  of  the  languages  whilst  they  are  studying  divinity  ; 
and  tluis  will  they  not  only  comply  with  rules,  but  be  better 
qualified  to  cope  with  the  more  subtle  enemies  of  the  gospel. 

Dr.  M'Knight,  Dr.  Hall,  and  myself,  were  a  committee  in 
your  case.  \Ve  wrote  a  letter  for  you,  which  you  will  see  in  tho 
extracts,  and  one,  much  more  plain  than  the  last  year's,  to  the 
Synod.  This  letter  was  read  and  disputed  by  paragraphs,  and 
a  great  majority  approved  every  sentence :  but  after  all,  we 
thought  we  would  not  send  it,  as  it  could  do  no  good,  and  might 
exasperate  some  of  them. 


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